Crisis in Tahrir

Protesters in Sydney demonstrate against Egypt violence

| 23 October 2011 | Comments (2)

Australian opposition leader Tony Abbot is among those in Australia who are protesting violence against Egypt's Coptic population.

Thousands gathered in Sydney on Sunday to protest the surge of violence against Coptic Christians in Egypt.

“It is an outrage what has happened to your community, it is an outrage which should cry out to heaven for rectification,” opposition leader Tony Abbott said in Sydney on Sunday.

“We stand with you … we share your grief, we share your upset, we share your concerns,” said immigration Minister Chris Bowen, who also attended Sunday’s protest.

“All members of the Egyptian community, be they Coptic or non-Coptic, should be able to look to the government of Egypt and the army of Egypt in times of trouble for protection.”

The Australian government has previously said that it would extend visas for Egyptians affected by the recent violence.

Australia’s parliament called for an end to Coptic persecution in Egypt in a recent bill addressing the need for protecting religious freedoms in Egypt.

The bill was proposed on September 19, just weeks before violence fanned by sectarian tensions broke out in Cairo, leaving 26 dead and nearly 300 wounded.

It was passed unanimously.

Bishop Suriel, the leader of Australia’s Coptic Christian community of nearly 70,000, has urged Australia to expel its Egyptian ambassador, Omar Metwally Mohamed, in light of the recent violence.

He claimed that the Egyptian ambassador has worked to silence Copts in Australia.

BM

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Section: Latest News, Oceana, Religion

Egypt in Crisis
Religion in Focus
  • Anthony-hanna

    And what a successful day this was. Let it be known to Tantawi, SCAF and extremist elements within Egypt that we Egyptians on the outside will be continually monitory and standing up for the rights of Egypt’s citizens

    • Zanatooo

      It might be a successful day Sydney, but It had no affect whatsoever on Egyptians in Egypt. All you are doing is fanning the flames and it is Egyptians that are getting killed. Good Job! Cots need to realize is that they live in Egypt and no one will save them and help them but Egyptians in Egypt otherwise they should not blame anyone but themselves.