US Coptic leader dismisses Obama pledge on Egypt
WINCHESTER, Va. (AP) — A board member of Coptic Solidarity is dismissing President Barack Obama's statement of support for Egypt's minority Christians as just "empty words."
At Monday's presidential debate, Obama said his administration has put "significant pressure" on Egypt's newly elected Islamic government to "take responsibility for protecting religious minorities."
But Coptic Solidarity's Halim Meawad (MEE'-wahd) says the Obama administration actually appears to be drawing closer to an Egyptian government dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood and more radical Islamists.
Meawad says, "Action is much louder than just words," and Coptic Christians are unaware of any U.S. pressure on their behalf.
He says they fear that Egypt's new constitution will only grant Christians rights that don't conflict with Islamic Sharia law.