AFRICA/EGYPT - Coptic Orthodox Church mobilizes for President al Sisi’s visit to the US

New York (Agenzia Fides) - Priests and Coptic Orthodox faithful living in the US have been called by the Archdiocese of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate in North America to take part in the event convened on 20 September in New York, in front of the UN building, to publicly express their support for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi, who on that day will take part in the 71st session of the general Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA71).
In a statement - released in recent days and signed by Coptic Orthodox Archbishop David - the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese invites the clergy and faithful to receive the Egyptian President and publicly show its support for his policy, and also refers to the interest expressed by Patriarch Tawadros II for the success of President al Sisi’s trip in the USA. The presence of Copts in front of the UN building in support of al Sisi - said the statement, sent to Agenzia Fides - also represents a strong signal sent to all those who do not love Egypt, our beloved Country".
The singular ecclesial initiative of the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America follows the controversy raised in late July by the public demonstrations held by some groups of the Coptic diaspora also in Washington, at the White House, to protest against the violence suffered by Christians in Egypt. In previous days, alerts against possible exploitation, and the warning to arrange overseas mobilization and public campaigns had arrived from the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate that could be perceived as attempts of "interference" in the Egyptian internal affairs implemented by organizations and foreign groups. Egyptian writer Michel Fahmy emphasized that only the Egyptian state is able to protect even the Copts from sectarian violence. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 12/09/2016)

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