My parents are original Coptics Born and raised in Sudan Education: Mechanical Eng. BS Georgia Tech MS MIT Occupation: Director of Research.

INTRODUCTION TO EGYPT

Who Am I My parents are original Coptics Born and raised in Sudan Education: Mechanical Eng.

BS Georgia Tech MS MIT

Occupation: Director of Research at a software company called Camstar

Wife: Christine Chen from Taiwan 2 sons in CDS:

Lance Lokas, 9 (soon to be 10), 5th grade Calvin Lokas, 7 (soon to be teenager), 2nd grade

Bible Trivia

First Biblical mention of Egypt? First Biblical mention of Arab? Are the Palestinians descendants of the

Philistines? Where is Upper Egypt

Purpose

Hebrews 13:3 “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound

with them; them that are illtreated, as being yourselves also in the body.”

Who are the Copts/Coptics Motherland Lost: The Egyptian and

Coptic Quest for Modernity Historically a reference to those of

Egyptian descent After the Islamic invasion it became a

reference to Christian Egyptians Original Egyptian language

Adopted Greek alphabet in 1st century Supplanted by Arabic

I am a Copt/Coptic Rami Farouk Lokas Girgis Abdel Maseeh Michail

Twadros Gladios El Zued

Origins of the Coptic Church

St. Mark….A.D. 42-62 Church of Alexandria Christianity spread fast

Mid 2nd century Coptic Gospel of John found in Upper Egypt

Extremely influential in early church Presided over the first 3 Ecumenical councils Nicene Crede First/Oldest Catechetical school…. Pantaenus

Catechisms Braille Monasticism Theology and scholarship

Arabic Islamic Influence

From Christian Majority to 10-20% Coptic language to Arabic language Coptic language seized after 18th century Coptic paid “jiza”

Muslim Brotherhood

Born in early 20th century Very invested in social programs Spawned Hamas and other movements Sudan is their biggest success Help topple imperial/colonial powers Banned and persecuted

Muslim Brotherhood

Several major figure assassinations Goal:

“to instill the Qur'an and Sunnah as the "sole reference point for ...ordering the life of the Muslim family, individual, community ... and state."”

Crede: “"Allah is our objective; the Quran is our law,

the Prophet is our leader; Jihad is our way; and dying in the way of Allah is the highest of our aspirations."”

Salafis

Egyptian Taliban Completely veiled women Land purged of Christians and Jews Destruction of all historical monuments

and artifacts that are non-Muslim War on Israel to recapture Jerusalem

Leading up to Current State

Last year Muslim brotherhood took 50% of parliament seats Salafis took 20%

How did they do this: Single member districts….in actuality had 30% of vote

Supreme Court dissolves parliament in June Muslim brotherhood candidate wins presidential

election (13 million votes) President Morsi attempts to broaden his powers President Morsi elects a non-inclusive constitutional

body President Morsi grants complete Amnesty to all jailed

Muslim Brotherhood members….even if they participated in terroristic acts

Current State

Tamarod colletcs 15 mill votes petitioning President Morsi to step down

Turns into 20-30 Mil protest on July 3 asking for President Morsis resignation

President Morsi Threatening speech Asks for US military intervention Attempts to shut down non-Muslim news

stations Army removes him

Muslim Brotherhood Response

Demonstrations All were under the 100s of thousands Included arms and violence

Attacked Coptics Over 50 churches attacked Over 25 completely burned to the ground Virgin Mary Church

Salafis in Sinai executed over 30 policemen Attempted assassination of Interior Minister Publicly recorded threats Videos of arms, snipers, killing of youths

Governments Response to Brotherhood

Crack down on freed terrorists Brought court cases against the Muslim

Brotherhood Captured some of the leadership that:

Embezzled Egyptian funds Made violent threats Participated in any violence

Considering banning the Muslim Brotherhood

International and US response

US: Consider ending aid

Saudi Arabia said they will cover the aid if need be End joint military practice Senators Graham and McCain visit Egypt to:

Reinstitute democratically elected government or Make peace with Muslim Brotherhood with shared

government Release some jailed Muslim Brothers

YouTube clips

Egypt saves the world from terrorism: http://youtu.be/av4-dbjfY6Q

Michael Coren on the horror in Egypt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHtU0nlBn

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