Violence Against Coptic Christians in Egypt

Floor Speech

* Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, since the start of the Egyptian unrest earlier this year, religious minorities have been specifically targeted by Muslim extremists. Taking on the brunt of the attacks are Coptics, Christians who have lived peacefully in this part of the world for millennia. Recently, terrorists burned two Coptic Churches to the ground, killing 16 and injuring over 300. Coptic churches--rich in culture and architecture--were destroyed forcing innocent Christians to flee their home communities in order to protect their lives. This comes only a few months after twenty-four Christians were killed in yet another church bombing.

* I am proud to represent a vibrant Coptic community in southeast Michigan and privileged to consider the clergy of St. Mark's Church in Troy, Michigan as my friends. I rise today to share their concerns--and the concerns of Coptics across our nation--about the future of their community and the desire to preserve their ancestral homeland.

* For millennia, Coptic Christians have lived and worshipped in Egypt but some extremists are attempting to capitalize on the political vacuum created by the uncertainty in the country to drive them out of their homes and places of worship. While we are hopeful for democratic change in Egypt, it is imperative that we maintain support for religious minority communities such as the Coptics and seek to preserve and allow for the continuity of their community.

* As a member of the Religious Minorities in the Middle East Caucus, I ask my colleagues to join me in being mindful of these Christian minorities that need a voice and demand an end to extremist violence that is destroying this peace loving community.

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