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MINUTES OF COPTIC UNITED ADVISORY ASSOCIATION

08/12/2006

Zurich, Nov. 28th-29th, 2006

 

On November 28th and 29th, 2006, the Advisory Association to the United Copts met. The Association was headed by Mr. Adly Abadir Yousef, and Dr. Shaker Alnbolsy, Mr. Magdy Khalil, Dr. Ahmed Abo Matar, Mr. Medhat Klada, and Mr. Ezzat Bulos were all present. After careful consideration, the association agreed on the following:

 

 

I. THE CONTENT OF MR. ALAFIF ALAKHDAR’S PROPOSAL
The association agreed with Mr. Alafif Alakhdar’s proposal concerning increasing the scope of the United Copts to be the voice of all marginalized and oppressed people; such as all Christians in Arab countries, Sunnis in Iran, Shiis in the Saudi Kingdom, and Kurds. Representatives will be selected from each of these sects to participate in association activities. The representatives will keep United Copts’ website updated with all new events concerning their diminished rights and fights to expose the injustice and oppression of all.

II. THE ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF THE NEW PHASE
The association agreed that it would start preparing for the legal and organizational steps necessary to form a new organization, which will fulfill the aforementioned duties. The new organization will be officially registered as a non-profit organization in as many European capitols as possible. Mr. Magdy Khalil was assigned of preparing the necessary studies and legal steps concerning the launch of this organization. It was also agreed that every member of the association will present a number of names for the organization so the launch and registration process can begin. We will also provide a statement about the goals of this organization, which will be discussed in the next meeting. The next meeting will occur in February of 2007, during which several contacts will be made to provide names of possible delegates from the sects and oppressed groups.

III. THE NEXT CONFERENCE FOR THE NEW ORGANIZATION
The next conference will be held in September or October of 2007, in London. The final date will be decided during February’s meeting after all circumstances are taken into account. We will consider the following points:
The conference duration will only be two days (one day for Arab researchers, another day for English speaking researchers).
Researchers will be carefully selected according to their activities and effectiveness that serve the goals of the organization, so that the number of participants will not be a financial burden without adding practical benefits to the work of the organization.
Focus on inviting American and European researchers that are concerned with human rights, equality, democracy, and justice in the Middle East.
Invite members from all religious sects and ethnic backgrounds who support the organization’s directions and solutions and will provide reports regarding the latest events.

IV. THE BOOK FOR THE 2005 WASHINGTON CONFERENCE
The association agreed that Mr. Madgy Khalil, with Dr. Shaker Alnabolsy’s help, would start preparing the Arabic edition of the book from the Washington Conference in Nov. of 2005. In the February meeting, we will select the studies that will constitute the foundation for the English version of that book. Dr. Shaker Alnabolsy was assigned the task of looking for an American publisher for the second edition of the 2004 Zurich conference book, whose first edition was published in 2006.

Mr. Adly Abadir Yousef
Dr. Shaker Alnbolsy
Mr. Magdy Khalil
Dr. Ahmed Abo Matar
Mr. Medhat Klada
Mr. Ezzat Bulos