By: A staff reporter.
Coptic Christians are preparing for peaceful mass demonstration in Washington as the Egyptian President makes a state visit to the USA.
The visit, which was postponed from May because of the death of President Mubarak’s grandson, is seen as an opportunity to gain publicity for escalating violence and discrimination against Egypt’s Christians.
"During Mubarak rule of 28 years, there have been more than 1500 violent attacks against the Egyptian Christians (Copts) which resulted in loss of lives, injuries and destruction of churches and property," according to the press release of a group of more than 10 Coptic organisations in the U.S. and Canada.
"Lately, such attacks increased significantly in frequency and severity and the attacking criminals are encouraged by the total impunity as the government does not prosecute them." says the release.
Other Coptic Organizations also rallying in front of the White House are demanding among others an immediate stop to attacks on Coptic churches and monasteries, Muslims killing Copts without being convicted and the systematic abduction, rape and forced Islamization of Coptic teenage girls.
Dr Naguib Gabraeel, a Copt himself and President of the local Egyptian Union Organization for human rights (EUHRO), said the Coptic Rally in front of the White House is a golden opportunity to express the anger felt by the Copts against the violation of their legitimate rights in Egypt after all efforts to obtain justice have failed.