Christians Against the Coup
Christians Against the Coup مسيحيون ضد الانقلاب | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Ramy Jan, Michael Seedhom |
| Founded | 2013 |
| National affiliation | Anti-Coup Alliance |
Christians Against the Coup (CAC), aka Anti-Coup Christians, is an Egyptian Christian movement, founded after the coup d'état on July 2013 in support of the presumed legitimacy of the former President of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi.
Foundation
The Egyptian Christian journalist and activist Ramy Jan founded Christians Against the Coup movement after then-General El-Sisi (Field Marshal since January 2014[1]) declared ouster of President Morsi on July 3, 2013, claiming that he had taken this critical decision in response to large anti-Morsi protests which were held in many parts of Egypt, June 30, which demanded early presidential elections. Pro-Morsi protests, however, were held as well few days before then. The movement states that its members, who are solely Christians, still support Morsi, and that there had been no sectarian violence against the Christian minority in Egypt in the one-year reign of the Muslim Brotherhood. The movement adopts the belief that violence against Christians was either individually-based, or rather fabricated. On the other hand, 'June-30' protesters, as being called in the local media, expressed that Morsi encouraged violence against non-Muslims; hence the motto of the CAC, ′The matter is not about the Brotherhood; it is rather about the dishonoured people.′[2]
Accusations were made against the movement, the most common of which is the belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood. The CAC assures that its members do not belong to any political stream.[3] Like many other anti-coup movements, the CAC works alongside the Anti-Coup Alliance, where the latter represents the broadest anti-coup assembly.[4]
Goal
The movement declared the aim of re-establishing the legitimacy awarded to President Morsi through the elections/referendums held in the past two years. The movement also aims to rewind the coup, cancel all its traces, and put Field Marshal El-Sisi, military officers of the SCAF, senior police officers and others to trial.
Jan, the founder, describes the idea of the movement by comparing it to the role the Coptic leader Makram Ebeid (1879–1961) played at the time of Hassan al-Banna (1906–1949), the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood. Ebeid denied accusations of terrorism that were made against al-Banna. He also took part in al-Banna's burial, defying strict measures imposed on taking part in it. Today, the movement plays the same role Ebeid played: defending the Brotherhood against accusations of terrorism, and standing in support of Mohamed Morsi, who is accused of treason.[5]
Controversy
In late 2013, a minor controversy occurred when it was revealed that founder Ramy Jan was also a member of the Egyptian Nazi Party. This disclosure led to the cancellation of Jan's invitation to a conference at Georgetown University.[6][7][8][9]
References
- ^ "Egypt's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi receives a promotion ahead of likely presidency bid". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 February 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ "Christians form new movement against Morsi's ouster". Press TV. 30 September 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ "Christians Against The Coup: Christians Suffered No Violation During Brotherhood Rule". Ikhwan Web. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ "Ramy Jan to Rassd: ′Alongside peacefulness, there must be escalation and sharp tone.′". Rassd News Network. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
- ^ "Coptic activist: Large number of Christians reject the coup". Middle East Monitor. 27 September 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ Egyptian Nazi Will No Longer Participate at Georgetown Conference By Liam Stack, New York Times, November 20, 2013.
- ^ Egyptian Nazi scandal exposes academic dishonesty by Ben Cohen, Sun-Sentinel, December 3, 2013.
- ^ ACMCU Event Postponed After Egyptian Nazi Accidentally Invited by Kayla Cross, The Hoya, November 23, 2013.
- ^ Georgetown U. Disinvites Egyptian Nazi From Conference by Vincent DeFrancesco, Chronicle of Higher Education November 21, 2013.
