Guest Post: Farrah's Trip to Egypt

by Farrah Assad

A friend of mine, Farrah Assad, visited Egypt last summer to work with the children in the Zabaleen district. She was kind enough to prepare a report for us:

I visited Egypt over winter break carrying all the donations, including children’s clothing, computer equipment, game console and money. I met with two of the teachers serving at Dare Banet Mariam in the Zabaleen. I also saw Tasoni (sister) Takla, the principal of the school. We divided the clothing into several groups, boys and girls and the age groups. The next day I visited the school and brought along with me the donations from school and church. My family and I set up the computer, printer, projector and video camera in Tasoni’s office. We passed by each class handing out the clothing for the students. The donations that were made for this organization were not only enough for the class that I taught over the summer, but there was plenty for the entire school, about 210 children. All the students were so happy and grateful for the sweaters and socks. The teachers and Tasoni Takla was extremely delighted to see the joy in the eyes of the children. They expressed their gratitude towards all who contributed to this effort. They decided to use the monetary gift towards setting up a playroom, something they wished to have for a long time. I wanted to thank everyone so much for all the donations that were made and to let everyone know that the smallest donations have made a huge impact on these children’s lives. I have attached a few of the pictures of the children receiving the gifts, hope you enjoy them. Thanks so much again!!!

More Pain

I WILL BE the first to admit that many of the Coptic protests in the West against persecution in Egypt have been gaudy and downright embarrassing. But no one - no one - can deny that there is a serious, serious issue in that country. For the first time, the situation is making me physically sick and psychologically depressed.

The latest episode occurred this past Christmas when six Coptic Christians were murdered by a Muslim gunman as they filed out of a midnight mass in the southern town of Nag Hamadi.

The situation has become so bad that even, in Europe, His Holiness Pope Benedict felt compelled to address the issue.

I genuinely believe that President Hosni Mobarek is personally saddened by these events, especially in view of his long-time friendship with His Holiness Pope Shenouda III. However, it remains to be seen how serious he is about a crackdown on the mess in Upper Egypt. Egyptian police say they have arrested three suspects. It is my view that what is done with these three men and about this attack will speak volumes about how serious Egypt is about being viewed as a just, respectable nation on the world stage. For a country held in high regard - at least relative to other Mideast nations - such a state of affairs is unacceptable.

The Wall Street Journal recently put this event in context of a wider global issue.

In contrast,The New York Times appears to minimize the issue, framing it as a simple case of a shooting that just happened to take place at a church. Really.

See also the report and perspective at Christnology.

Egyptian Father Jailed After Attempting to Rescue Daughter from Kidnappers

NO ONE WANTS downer news on a Monday.

However, sources report that when Myrna Gamal Hanna was kidnapped and forced to marry Mohamad Osama Hefnawy, the now-20-year-old woman was 19 and under the age of marital consent. Sadly, it appears that her father was jailed after attempting to rescue her.

We look forward with hope to a better Egypt where such injustices are not countenanced.

Ground Breaking on Site of Littlest Lamb Orphanage!

I AM EXITED TO REPORT the recent ground-breaking ceremony for the Littlest Lamb Orphanage at Ahmed Oraby, Egypt!

His Holiness Pope Shenouda came to bless the land and lay the first bricks (beneath which he buried a cross, a coin, and a mini lamb).

Please take this opportunity to share in this event with any love offering you feel is appropriate. Imagine that one day there will be an orphanage, a safe haven for Egypt's street children, on this site and that you were a part of making it happen!

Violence and Rape: Egyptian Street Children

ACCORDING TO UNICEF, an arm of the United Nations, Egyptian street children indicate that violence is a major issue in their life. UNICEF reports,

These children lead an unhealthy and often dangerous life that leaves them deprived of their basic needs for protection, guidance, and supervision and exposes them to different forms of exploitation and abuse. For many, survival on the street means begging and sexual exploitation by adults.

World Health Organization studies show that street children suffer from health problems ranging from cholera to tuberculosis and anemia, and that they are exposed to a variety of toxic substances, both in their food and in the environment around them.

Yesterday I was complaining because the water filter at my office was not to my liking.

In a survey in 2000, 86% of street children identified violence as a major problem in their life. In another survey, 50% stated that they had been exposed in some manner to rape.

Will you consider helping my friends build a wall around them?
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Source: Street children: Issues and Impact

Can the Children in Your Life Find Their Parents?

These children cannot.

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DEAR FRIENDS,

In order to support a project very near to my heart, The Littlest Lamb Orphanage, I plan to attempt the Hamptons Marathon in September.

You may recall that Peter "Mason" Tadros ran a marathon to raise money for the orphans last year.

Some clarification is in order.

Mason or "Mase," as they like to call him, is what you might refer to as an "athlete." I am what you might refer to as a short, insecure middle-eastern man with love handles that just won't quit. Mase completed the marathon in an astounding 3 hours and 6 minutes, finishing in the top 15. Afterwards, he thought it would be a fun idea to drive to Staten Island and participate in a basketball game. If I break my goal of under four hours, I will celebrate with an ice bath and a nice cup of herbal tea. This is going to hurt. It is already hurting. Soothe my pain. Be nice. Give us some your money. Thank you.

Here's how you can share your blessings with our precious children of Egypt. You may choose one or more of the following donation options:

1. per mile (it is a 26.2 mile race);

2. a lump sum based on whether I hit my goal of under four hours; or

3. a lump sum based on whether I even finish at all.

Please go here to share any bit you can.

I have no doubt that there are many demands on your finances these days, but may I humbly suggest that these are the times when our generosity and trust in God are the most beautiful?

Thank you very much and may God bless you and the children in your life.

With love,

Nader

Mob Attacks Church and Loots Christian Homes in Egypt

I AM SORRY FOR BEING LATE IN REPORTING THIS but there are reports coming out of Egypt that a Muslim mob attacked a church on Sunday, Jun 21 in the village of Ezbet Boshra-East, El-Fashn*.

The mob smashed windows and assaulted Copts with clubs and white weapons, wounding 25 Copts. The most awful part of the report is that this was all done "in the presence and with the instigation of the State Security."(emphasis added).

It gets worse: The next day, El-Fashn prosecutors issued an order for the village priest, Reverend Isaac Castor, to appear and answer charges of sectarian sedition.

Apparently three Muslim women accused him of hurling stones at them from inside the church.

The priest remains holed up in the Church, together with 10 people and three children, ages five years and younger.

"As if I'm dreaming what went on, such savagery! It broke my heart to see my children (i.e. his congregation) treated in such a beastly and barbaric way" said Rev. Isaac to Coptic News Bulletin. "It is as if we are back to the Era of Diocletian"

The report also indicates that homes of nearby Copts were broken into on Sunday by the Muslim mob, which included women, assaulting the residents including young girls, and destroying their furniture and looting electrical equipment.

Human rights organization 'Sunshine' said that what is happening now in El-Fashn is a new trend in the violations carried out by the State Security against Coptic clergy.

Bishop Estephanos, who staged a sit-in said, "We will all pray. Since matters reached this stage, if necessary we will all become martyrs. Our Coptic Church has been built on the blood of martyrs."

You can find the full report here and an update here.

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*El-Fashn is in Beni Suef region of Upper Egypt, north of Minya

Eva Habil Kyrolos: Egypt's First Female Mayor

The Los Angeles Times has published a nice feature on Egypt's first female mayor.

Bomb Blast in Khan El-Khali, Cairo

I regret to report that a bomb exploded in the tourist-dense Khan El-Khalili section of Cairo today. You can find the New York Times story here and the BBC report here.

Financial Times Reports on the Coptic Situation in Egypt

IT'S NO SECRET that 2008 has been a trying year for Egypt. The Financial Times recently published an article on the tensions in the county. The article quotes sources inside Egypt who indicate that the situation has reached an "alarming level." The article also notes, for example, that H.H. Pope Shenouda III, who normally encourages the sides to come to a quick reconciliation after a conflict, refused to allow talks with the assailants in the Abu Fana clash and insisted they be prosecuted.

You may find a copy of the article here.

Tough Times Continue in Egypt

The Associated Press has reported on a clash between Copts and Muslims in Egypt over the discovery that some Copts had been praying in a disused factory which the Church had bought.

A crowd of angry Muslims quickly gathered, threw stones at the building and burned banners that said, "No to the church." They tried to storm the gates, clashed with police and chanted, "The church has fallen, the priest is dead," according to witnesses.

Pope Shenouda III "has ordered a cessation to prayers in the building belonging to the Church of Virgin Mary... after confrontations between the worshippers and some of the neighborhood's residents in front of the building," state news agency MENA quoted him as saying.

Under an antiquated law, inherited from when Egypt was under Ottoman rule, Christians are obliged to secure presidential permission before building a church or expanding an existing church.

This clash is particularly concerning because it shows that the conflict between Copts and Muslims continues to spread beyond Upper Egypt.

Death toll in Egypt Rock Slide at 47

I regret to report that 47 people died in a rock slide this weekend in the Muquatam region. Please keep our brothers and sisters in your prayers.

You can find a link to the Associated Press report here.

New York Times Reports on Situation in Egypt

In an article entitled, “As Tensions Rise for Egypt’s Christians, Officials Call Clashes Secular”, New York Times correspondent Michael Slackman highlights the difference between the marginalized position of the Copts and the official position of a government insistent on painting a picture of isolated incidents in an otherwise unified country.

You can read the article here.

Washington Post on the Situation of the Copts in Egypt

The Washington Post published an article today on the situation of the Copts in Egypt. The article highlighted some good points, but I regret the author's suggestion that the church-centered social programs encouraged by H.H. Pope Shenouda III are in some significant way the cause of tension in Egypt. I think the author confuses the remedy with the problem. In any case, H.H., much to the dismay of his western critics, has always encouraged Egyptian unity and for Egypt to solve Egypts problems.

You can find the article here.