Australian Government responds to Egypt crisis

You may be aware from recent news reports that Christians across Egypt have been shocked by recent violent attack on a peaceful demonstration organised by Christians protesting over the destruction of a church in Aswan on 30 September. Official figures cite that 24 people were killed and a further 250 injured in the violence.

Open Doors' contacts in Cairo said that the violence was initiated by the security forces, while other Christians told us that excessive force was used against people who were protesting peacefully. An Egyptian pastor told Open Doors of a powerful prayer time on Monday night the day after the killings.

Eye witness reports told how military vehicles deliberately and indiscriminately ran over protesters. An Orthodox priest described how he protected the driver of one vehicle which had killed many people. As the vehicle was turned on its side and caught fire, the priest told the soldier that if he came out, he would protect him from the angry mob. The priest put his arms around the soldier's head and asked the people not to hit him. He covered the soldier with his body as he laid him on the ground. As the angry mob saw what their pastor was doing to protect the 'killer' soldier, they agreed to spare him in Jesus' name. The priest brought the soldier to his commander and told him, "Christ died for you, and he has given your life back to you. He alone can save you."

The priest also described how he prayed with those who were fatally injured. He said that many of the young people around him were willing to die for Christ.

There is a growing feeling among the Muslim community condemning what has happened and showing public support for the Christian community in Egypt.

On the 13 October , the Australian House of Representatives honoured Australia's commitment to religious freedom with a clear endorsement of a historic private member's bill moved by Mr Craig Kelly MP, Liberal Federal Member for Hughes, addressing the ongoing persecution of the Coptic Christians of Egypt:

(1) recognises that Coptic Christians* in Egypt are suffering ongoing and increasing persecution;

(2) condemns the recent attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt;

(3) expresses its sympathy for Coptic Christians who have been victims of recent attacks in Egypt; and

(4) calls on the Government to:

1. issue a public statement condemning the ongoing attacks against the Coptic Christian minority in Egypt;
2. make immediate representations to the United Nations to end the persecution of Coptic Christians in Egypt; and
3. strongly urge the Egyptian Government to provide equal rights and protection for all Egyptian citizens regardless of race or religion.

In his statement to the House, following the passing of his motion, Mr Kelly emotionally recounted a young Christian woman's testimony, the House heard of how Miss Vivian Magi, tried to protect her dead fiancé's body from soldiers after he was run-over an armoured vehicle.  She told Egyptian TV: "His body was in the middle of the wheels. His legs were torn. His head hit the pavement, breaking his skull.  Soldiers gathered around us and started to beat him up.  I begged them to leave him.. Then a soldier with a red cap came, shouting, cursing and hitting me with a stick then tried to beat him up. I threw my body on him (her fiancé) … and the soldier said to me: 'You infidel, why are you here?'”

Mr Kelly condemned the violence of the military, the very body that was meant to be protecting its civilians.

What you can do

• write or email your support to your local Federal Member showing your support of this private member's bill by Mr Craig Kelly MP, Liberal Federal Member for Hughes and for the commitment made by the members of the Australian House of Representatives to religious freedom.
• forward this information to your friends and family          

*Coptic Christian is the term for a native Egyptian Christian.