U.S. Copts Association

 Al-Maqrizi (1364-1442): A witness & chronicler from the late medieval ages, Part III

by Ed Rizkalla

It is often said that sparks from different ideas ignite innovation and creativity. The writer noted that Al-Maqrizi chronicled some Coptic culture traits in his book, Al-khitat (1). Al-Maqrizi witnessed that the Copts were knowledge people (علم اهل), and Coptic men tended to discuss matters with their wives. He however could not comprehend why Coptic men sought their wives views and participation. The writer presented the tale of “King Cheops and the Magicians” (2) (3) as an example of ancient Egyptian literature, and briefly reviewed the 3rd story of the tale to shed light on the two Coptic cultural traits noted by Al-Maqrizi. With the grace of the Lord, the writer will review the 4^th story of the tale “King Cheops and the Magicians” to further discuss the two cultural traits noted by Al-Maqrizi and provide background for a third Coptic cultural trait that help the evolution of different views and ideas, whose sparks ignite innovation and creativity. This Coptic cultural trait is the respect for individuality, the individual’s dignity and his or her creative abilities.
Read the rest…

By Tarek Heggy

According to some statistics, fully one quarter of those enrolled in the educational system in Egypt today are studying in religious educational establishments [schools, academies, and colleges run by Al-Azhar]. Other statistics reduce the number to one fifth, while a recent survey places it at no more than one sixth. Even if we assume that the lowest estimate of one sixth, that is, slightly over 16%, is the correct one, this means that more than three million students receive their education from start to finish in religious establishments. And the number would rise to four or five million if we accept the other statistics. What is certain is that we are facing an educational phenomenon that is bound to have far-reaching social, political and economic ramifications and hence needs to be closely examined and analyzed.
The first question that springs to mind here is “why”. Why does a society like Egypt’s end up sending such large numbers of its youth to study at religious establishments? This question evokes another question: What brought us to this? Was it planned or is it a random development that grew out of a reality not governed by strategic planning but by reactions and bureaucracy?

Read the rest…

 Al-Maqrizi (1364-1442): A witness & chronicler from the late medieval ages, Part II

by Ed Rizkalla

In a recent article, the writer noted that the late medieval age Muslim historian Al-Maqrizi chronicled some of the Coptic culture traits in his famous book, Al-khitat (1), though he did not recognize them as such. It should be noted that Al-Maqrizi was not a Coptophile or a friend of the Copts by any extent of the imagination. It is perhaps fair to say that he was a product of his times. Al-Maqrizi, like other medieval Arab writers, used the word “Copts” to refer to both the ancient Egyptians and the Christians of Egypt, and as he wrote about the Muslim population of Egypt he simply referred to them as “Muslims”.
Read the rest…

Washington Times

A coalition of American Muslim groups is demanding that Sen. John McCain stop using the adjective “Islamic” to describe terrorists and extremist enemies of the United States.

Muneer Fareed, who heads the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), told The Washington Times that his group is beginning a campaign to persuade Mr. McCain to rephrase his descriptions of the enemy. Â
Read the rest…

Christopher King says that the behaviour of George Bush, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and their ilk is at variance with modern Christianity and that their proclivity to violence seems to be more rooted in the Judaic Bible, the Torah.
Read the rest…

Anglican leader says US policy harms Mideast Christians while Bush, Pope express worry over Iraqi Christians.
LONDON - Christians across the Middle East are being associated with Britain and the United States’ “global project” in the region and suffering as a result, the Archbishop of Canterbury warned Wednesday.
Read the rest…

 Al-Maqrizi (1364-1442): A witness & chronicler from the late medieval ages

by Ed Rizkalla

Over the past 50 years or so many Copts emigrated from Egypt to other nations such as the USA, Canada, Australia, and countries of the European Union. The vast majority of the Copts became successful in their new adopted countries. The very same Copts, who were discriminated against and denied opportunities in their own land, Egypt, became a success in a free marketplace unconstrained by the dark biases against their religious belief and ethnic background. First and foremost I believe that God has granted his grace to the Copts, which enabled their success. The Lord in his grace granted a forward-looking culture to the Copts that enhances the opportunities of their success.

Read the rest…

By Ian Pannell
BBC News, Cairo

It’s the start of the school day and hundreds of small children squeeze into the dusty playground.

Shrill orders pour out of a rusty loudspeaker screwed onto the wall. The children dutifully shuffle into line, open up their lungs and bellow their allegiance to God and Egypt.

The school day at Othman Bin-Affan Primary School has begun.
Read the rest…

Egyptian doctors stage protest amid national anger over skyrocketing food prices.
CAIRO - Egyptian doctors staged a protest on Saturday outside their union headquarters in Cairo to demand better pay amid national anger over skyrocketing food prices.

“We will hold a protest for one hour to demand better salaries and better conditions for doctors,” Hamdi al-Sayyed, head of the doctors’ syndicate, said before the protest began, adding that similar demonstrations would be held across the country.
Read the rest…

Now there are tasks which are contentious but clear. 

There are now international problems which will have to be dealt with globally. 

The war on Radical Islam has to be won.

A nuclear war of a kind has to be done.

Read the rest…