Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

The website “al-Aqbāt Mutahidoun” [Copts united] [http://www.copts-united.com/] posted an article urging Christians to enter the presidential election. The article states ten reasons to participate in the presidential elections. Foremost is the revival of the Coptic

[civil] community. They believe this can be achieved only through political contributions and, thus, the nomination of a Copt will also be seen as a statement of willingness on the part of Copts to work towards achieving this revival.



Another reason for nominating an Egyptian Copt in the presidential elections is to shed light on the status of minorities in Egypt.

Referring to Sa‘d al-Dīn Ibrāhīm’s case, there was always a connection between his arrest and rights of Copts

in Egypt [website says many editorials and opinion articles published by U.S. and international newspapers on Sacd al-

Dīn Ibrāhīm’s case made a connection between his call for democracy and Copts’ rights in Egypt]. Therefore,

the nomination of a Copt for the presidential elections will highlight the situation of the Coptic minority to the

international community [opinion expressed on the website].

As for the real reason behind the invitation to enter the

elections is the desire of emigrant Copts that Christians in Egypt would express their power and authority through political

voting. Because elections were rigged, Copts decided to quit political participation [expatriate Copts say, a reference to

the website]. However, monitoring the elections will bring them back to involvement in political life. [Bring them back to

the political scene].

Another reason for nominating an Egyptian Copt in the presidential election is to put pressure

on the Egyptian government to nominate a Copt as a vice-president. Coptic participation in the elections should also help

Copts regain seats in parliament that were occupied by others after their withdrawal from political participation [opinion

from this website].

Prior to [the revolution in] July 1952, Copts had a vital role in political life, education and

media. They also participated in the Egyptian movement towards independency and took the unique initiative to build schools

for girls. They established newspapers and magazines and founded societies. The first civil society in Egypt was Coptic.

The emigrant Copts call for highlighting Coptic visions that could present a good agenda to rescue the deteriorated

situation in Egypt [Editor: The author claims that the views of emigrant Copts could help Egypt to develop. The author does

not explain these visions but this is primarily focused on strengthening the Coptic identity in Egypt. It would lead to

Muslim resentment. Would that help the development of the country?]