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Egypt's Coptic Christians: Who are Isis's latest victims and why are they persecuted? Egypt's Coptic Christians: Who are Isis's latest victims and why are they persecuted?
(35 minutes later)
The latest video purportedly released by the terror organisation Isis claims to show the execution of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya. The latest video purportedly released by the terror organisation Isis claims to show the execution of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya. The mass beheading prompted an immediate response from Egypt, who launched air strikes against the jihadist group in Libya.
Who are the Egyptian Coptic Christians?Who are the Egyptian Coptic Christians?
Egyptian Copts form the largest Christian community in the Middle East, accounting for an estimated 10 per cent of the population. There are an estimated six to 11 million members.Egyptian Copts form the largest Christian community in the Middle East, accounting for an estimated 10 per cent of the population. There are an estimated six to 11 million members.
The majority belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, which according to tradition was established by Saint Mark in the 1st Century, approximately AD 42, while the remainder are divided between the Coptic Catholic church and various (smaller) Coptic Protestant churches.The majority belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, which according to tradition was established by Saint Mark in the 1st Century, approximately AD 42, while the remainder are divided between the Coptic Catholic church and various (smaller) Coptic Protestant churches.
Despite originating in Egypt, the religion has a worldwide following, with populations of Coptic Christians existing in the United States and Britain, as well some African nations, such as Sudan.Despite originating in Egypt, the religion has a worldwide following, with populations of Coptic Christians existing in the United States and Britain, as well some African nations, such as Sudan.
The mother of one of the victimsThe mother of one of the victims
So they have strong roots in Egypt and the Middle East?So they have strong roots in Egypt and the Middle East?
Absolutely. The Copts were a vibrant – and secure – facet of Middle Eastern society but their position in Egypt has fluctuated with different rulers. After the country became Muslim the Copts faced widespread discrimination and limited economic prospects.Absolutely. The Copts were a vibrant – and secure – facet of Middle Eastern society but their position in Egypt has fluctuated with different rulers. After the country became Muslim the Copts faced widespread discrimination and limited economic prospects.
In the early 19th century their position improved dramatically under the stable rule of Muhammad Ali, however, the situation went south (again) in 1952 when Gasser Abdel Nasser came to power.In the early 19th century their position improved dramatically under the stable rule of Muhammad Ali, however, the situation went south (again) in 1952 when Gasser Abdel Nasser came to power.
What happened?What happened?
By this point the Copts were one of the most economically powerful groups in Egypt, but this did not prevent Nasser undermining their religion (by closing religious courts, delaying church constructions and confiscating land and Church properties). Many Copts emigrated during the period, ending up in Europe and the United States.By this point the Copts were one of the most economically powerful groups in Egypt, but this did not prevent Nasser undermining their religion (by closing religious courts, delaying church constructions and confiscating land and Church properties). Many Copts emigrated during the period, ending up in Europe and the United States.
Do they still face persecution today?Do they still face persecution today?
A Coptic Egyptian prays in Cairo over Christmas - the religious sect has faced widespread discrimination Copts in Egypt claim they still suffer discrimination and persecution today. The violence and instability that has engulfed Egypt in the past few years has undoubtedly adversely affected already marginalised communities.A Coptic Egyptian prays in Cairo over Christmas - the religious sect has faced widespread discrimination Copts in Egypt claim they still suffer discrimination and persecution today. The violence and instability that has engulfed Egypt in the past few years has undoubtedly adversely affected already marginalised communities.
In 2013 an Amnesty International report condemned internal security forces for failing to protect Christian churches, schools, and charity buildings from an angry mob in the wake of the dispersal of two pro-Morsi sit-ins in Cairo. The former elected president was deposed by present leader Addel-Fattah al-Sisi in 2013.In 2013 an Amnesty International report condemned internal security forces for failing to protect Christian churches, schools, and charity buildings from an angry mob in the wake of the dispersal of two pro-Morsi sit-ins in Cairo. The former elected president was deposed by present leader Addel-Fattah al-Sisi in 2013.
There have also been infrequent examples of local Muslim communities accusing Copts of various offences and acting outside of the law. There has been little redress for these Copts, with many claiming authorities turned a blind eye to their complaints.There have also been infrequent examples of local Muslim communities accusing Copts of various offences and acting outside of the law. There has been little redress for these Copts, with many claiming authorities turned a blind eye to their complaints.
There have been some prominent Copts, the most well-known is probably Boutros Boutros Ghali who served as the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations.There have been some prominent Copts, the most well-known is probably Boutros Boutros Ghali who served as the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations.
What is their status outside of Egypt?What is their status outside of Egypt?
It varies. In the US and Britain the situation is good. Elsewhere, such as Libya, it is less positive.It varies. In the US and Britain the situation is good. Elsewhere, such as Libya, it is less positive.
What is their status in Libya?What is their status in Libya?
A family relative of abducted Coptic Christian weepsA family relative of abducted Coptic Christian weeps
Bad. Copts form the largest Christian minority in the country, with an estimated 60,000 living there, but their status is increasingly precarious. The country's descent into civil war and chaos following the collapse of Mu’ammar al-Gaddafi’s dictatorship has seen the nation riven by rival extremist factions, with the government having little cotrol. Italy recently pulled their embassy staff out - the last EU power to do so. Copts form the largest Christian minority in the country, with an estimated 60,000 living there, but their status is increasingly precarious. The country's descent into civil war and chaos following the collapse of Mu’ammar al-Gaddafi’s dictatorship has seen the nation riven by rival extremist factions, with the government having little cotrol. Italy recently pulled their embassy staff out - the last EU power to do so.
Prior to the latest atrocity, in February of last year seven Copts were dragged from their homes in the middle of the night and shot in the streets east of Benghazi. There have been a number of other reported incidences – involving other extremist groups such as Ansar al-Sharia – of violence against Copts in the country.Prior to the latest atrocity, in February of last year seven Copts were dragged from their homes in the middle of the night and shot in the streets east of Benghazi. There have been a number of other reported incidences – involving other extremist groups such as Ansar al-Sharia – of violence against Copts in the country.
In December, reports circulated that an Egyptian doctor and his wife had been killed in Sirte, east of Benghazi on the coast, after their daughter had been kidnapped.In December, reports circulated that an Egyptian doctor and his wife had been killed in Sirte, east of Benghazi on the coast, after their daughter had been kidnapped.
A Coptic Christian woman prays for the release of 21 Coptic Egyptian menA Coptic Christian woman prays for the release of 21 Coptic Egyptian men
What has been the reaction from Copts in Egypt?What has been the reaction from Copts in Egypt?
Prior to the purported executions many of the families of those abducted had staged protests accusing the president of failing to act. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the families of some of the men abducted in January said they felt they had been left in the dark by Egypt's leaders.Prior to the purported executions many of the families of those abducted had staged protests accusing the president of failing to act. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the families of some of the men abducted in January said they felt they had been left in the dark by Egypt's leaders.
President al-Sisi had promised before that Egyptians, many of whom travel to Libya to work as labourers in construction, would be airlifted out of the country.  President al-Sisi had promised before that Egyptians, many of whom travel to Libya to work as labourers in construction, would be airlifted out of the country.