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:
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 Maseeh Michail
Twadros Gladios 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
Tamarod colletcs 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=WHtU0nlBn
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