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Introduction to egypt. Who Am I. My parents are original Coptics Born and raised in Sudan Education: Mechanical Eng. BS Georgia Tech MS MIT Occupation: Director of Research at a software company called Camstar Wife: Christine Chen from Taiwan 2 sons in CDS:
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Who Am I • My parents are original Coptics • Born and raised in Sudan • Education: Mechanical Eng. • BS Georgia Tech • MS MIT • Occupation: Director of Research at a software company called Camstar • Wife: Christine Chen from Taiwan • 2 sons in CDS: • Lance Lokas, 9 (soon to be 10), 5th grade • Calvin Lokas, 7 (soon to be teenager), 2nd grade
Bible Trivia • First Biblical mention of Egypt? • First Biblical mention of Arab? • Are the Palestinians descendants of the Philistines? • Where is Upper Egypt
Purpose • Hebrews 13:3 • “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; them that are illtreated, as being yourselves also in the body.”
Who are the Copts/Coptics • Motherland Lost: The Egyptian and Coptic Quest for Modernity • Historically a reference to those of Egyptian descent • After the Islamic invasion it became a reference to Christian Egyptians • Original Egyptian language • Adopted Greek alphabet in 1st century • Supplanted by Arabic • I am a Copt/Coptic • Rami Farouk Lokas Girgis Abdel MaseehMichailTwadrosGladios El Zued
Origins of the Coptic Church • St. Mark….A.D. 42-62 • Church of Alexandria • Christianity spread fast • Mid 2nd century Coptic Gospel of John found in Upper Egypt • Extremely influential in early church • Presided over the first 3 Ecumenical councils • Nicene Crede • First/Oldest Catechetical school….Pantaenus • Catechisms • Braille • Monasticism • Theology and scholarship
Arabic Islamic Influence • From Christian Majority to 10-20% • Coptic language to Arabic language • Coptic language seized after 18th century • Coptic paid “jiza”
Muslim Brotherhood • Born in early 20th century • Very invested in social programs • Spawned Hamas and other movements • Sudan is their biggest success • Help topple imperial/colonial powers • Banned and persecuted
Muslim Brotherhood • Several major figure assassinations • Goal: • “to instill the Qur'an and Sunnah as the "sole reference point for ...ordering the life of the Muslim family, individual, community ... and state."” • Crede: • “"Allah is our objective; the Quran is our law, the Prophet is our leader; Jihad is our way; and dying in the way of Allah is the highest of our aspirations."”
Salafis • Egyptian Taliban • Completely veiled women • Land purged of Christians and Jews • Destruction of all historical monuments and artifacts that are non-Muslim • War on Israel to recapture Jerusalem
Leading up to Current State • Last year • Muslim brotherhood took 50% of parliament seats • Salafis took 20% • How did they do this: • Single member districts….in actuality had 30% of vote • Supreme Court dissolves parliament in June • Muslim brotherhood candidate wins presidential election (13 million votes) • President Morsi attempts to broaden his powers • President Morsi elects a non-inclusive constitutional body • President Morsi grants complete Amnesty to all jailed Muslim Brotherhood members….even if they participated in terroristic acts
Current State • Tamarodcolletcs 15 mill votes petitioning President Morsi to step down • Turns into 20-30 Mil protest on July 3 asking for President Morsis resignation • President Morsi • Threatening speech • Asks for US military intervention • Attempts to shut down non-Muslim news stations • Army removes him
Muslim Brotherhood Response • Demonstrations • All were under the 100s of thousands • Included arms and violence • Attacked Coptics • Over 50 churches attacked • Over 25 completely burned to the ground • Virgin Mary Church • Salafis in Sinai executed over 30 policemen • Attempted assassination of Interior Minister • Publicly recorded threats • Videos of arms, snipers, killing of youths
Governments Response to Brotherhood • Crack down on freed terrorists • Brought court cases against the Muslim Brotherhood • Captured some of the leadership that: • Embezzled Egyptian funds • Made violent threats • Participated in any violence • Considering banning the Muslim Brotherhood
International and US response • US: • Consider ending aid • Saudi Arabia said they will cover the aid if need be • End joint military practice • Senators Graham and McCain visit Egypt to: • Reinstitute democratically elected government or • Make peace with Muslim Brotherhood with shared government • Release some jailed Muslim Brothers
YouTube clips • Egypt saves the world from terrorism: • http://youtu.be/av4-dbjfY6Q • Michael Coren on the horror in Egypt: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHtU0nlBnwk