Posted on 12/24/2011 7:46:56 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
Father Mina Kamel Yanni greeted members of the congregation after mass at St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Brooklyn.
Then one day in February, says Mr. Andraws, a gang of thugs beat him and told him, "you deserve to die." His offense, he says: refusing to convert to Islam.
In late March, Mr. Andraws, a 23-year- old engineer, used a tourist visa to board an Egyptair flight for New York City. He let a room in a friend's apartment, hired an immigration lawyer and applied for asylum. He has survived mainly on wages and tips from jobs as a cook, cashier and delivery man.
"I have no other option," says Mr. Andraws, who found refuge at a Queens church that's become a way station for Copts arriving in New York.
Mr. Andraws is one of thousands of Coptic Christians—followers of an ancient form of Christianity with its own language and rituals—who have come to the U.S. to escape rising persecution in Egypt.
For decades Copts have suffered attacks by Islamists who view them as "kafir"—Arabic for nonbelievers. But there is now a sense among Middle East experts that they have become more vulnerable since the revolution.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
In the liberal media, Muslims are never embattled.
o watch immigration be an issue now. gotta seal the borders and protect America’s interest now.
I actually have a Copt that is a student at the high school I teach at. The kid is dynamite, he found a $18 on the floor of the cafeteria and refused to take it even if no one claimed it. I asked him when he’s going to get his cross on his wrist; he said next summer.
I seriously am considering one myself. Christ be with us all on this wonderful celebration of His birth.
>> I asked him when he’s going to get his cross on his wrist
Could you elaborate?
“..the high school I teach AT.”
“..he found a $18 on the floor..”
I sure hope you don’t teach English grammar and composition.
Then again...
Coptic Christians under serious persecution trying to emigrate legally is something few should have a problem with. This should be a no-brainer for anyone except a liberal.
There is a large, new Coptic Christian church near where I used to live. I was invited by their priest to attend the blessing of the church by the Coptic Pope. It was a fascinating mix of old and new.
What was really interesting was how recognizable the service was even though it was largely conducted in a language I had never heard before.
We need to make room for these persecuted Christians. They are very hard working and value education. The Copts I know will make very good Americans.
Amen! We should open our doors to any ME Christian!
>I sure hope you don’t teach English grammar and composition.
>Then again...
Actually, I do; I also drink beer on Christmas Eve.
Merry Christmas.
And unlike the Palestinians and other Middle Eastnerers admitted under our visa lottery and “diversity” system, Copts are Christian AND appreciate our nation.
Congress should pass a resolution giving first priority to immigrants who are real refugees like these Coptics. We currently give preference to Muslims.
Although the main issue is going to be come 2012: economy,economy,economy.
Plus they, the Coptic Christians are the “original” Egyptians, going back, way back to the days of the pharoahs of ancient Egypt.
The beauty of the Coptic Christians in a special way and of the Eastern Christians in general is the beauty of their liturgy and prayers, plus the icons.
I have two books on Eastern Christian icons and how to paint or what is called “wrtie” and icon. Once Christmas is done, will get into the reading of the books.
I concur. These Coptic Christians are being persecuted and we should give them refuge!
>>Yeah, but isn’t that annoying when someone says something like that? In the meantime, Merry Christmas! :-)
If you’re a seasoned teacher, you learn to ignore anything anyone says about you UNLESS IT’S A PERFORMANCE REVIEW.
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