Dr. Ashraf Ramelah

Egypt’s sinister proposal: A call for Jews to return

In the wake of Egypt’s newly ratified constitution embracing Islamic religious juridical law, Dr. Essam Al Eryian, the high ranking Egyptian political figure and Vice President of the Freedom and Justice Party, initiated a generous invitation to former Egyptian Jews now living in Israel. In an interview on December 28 with Al-Ahram, the state-controlled Arabic daily newspaper, Dr. Al Eryian justified his announcement as the need for Egypt “to place itself in the right international and regional status” as it undertakes “democratic change,” – “regional” referring to the Arab-Muslim Ummah (nation). However this backfired on him when Palestinian Authority head, Mahmoud Abbas, objected to reparations Egypt owed to Jews as part of Dr. Al Eryian’s offer. The destruction Abbas seeks entails no such recompense.

Egypt only hope: Freedom Fighters

This month marks the two-year anniversary of Egypt’s revolution for democracy led by youth freedom fighters. Their movement remains as vital today as when the uprising began on January 25, 2011 -- currently the same number of core participants, zeal and commitment to human rights. To date, their failure to bring forth the democratic goals for which they stand is due largely to the spontaneity comprised within the origin of their revolt, lack of preparation and the absence of a plan.

Egypt’s Morsi is laying the bricks for an Islamic democracy

President Morsi’s leadership is analogous to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, at least in the eyes of his opposition figure ElBaradei. He meant it as an insult to Mr. Morsi in light of the Presidents greed for power. Truthfully, it is an insult to world history but no worse than claiming Mr. Morsi is a broker for peace in the Middle East or that his objective for Egypt is to fulfill the aspirations of the January 2011 uprising.

Living in fear: Coptic Christians in Egypt

As al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri calls for renewed protests against the U.S. and Israel in the wake of reaction to the film about Mohammed, it is the ancient Christian community of Egypt, the Copts, who are in the greatest immediate danger. Ashraf Ramelah, a Coptic leader, describes how Copts are dealing with the new Islamist reality in Egypt.

Egyptian President Morsi: A fugitive addresses world leaders

Historically, the Egyptian prison cell has been the incubator for monumental accomplishments, such as the formation of Al Qaeda and the current presidency of Egypt. It has provided the necessary network, doctrine and framework to spawn greater goals. Perfect plans have been hatched and prepared in Egypt’s prison block, allowing bad actors like Muhammad Morsi to plot their next move. Within a few days of Hosni Mubarak’s confinement of Morsi to the Two Sahrawi branch of the Wadi el Natruon Penitentiary during Egypt’s January 2011 uprising, Morsi broke out. He was a pawn in the execution of the Muslim Brotherhood’s long awaited scheme to take over Egypt.

August 24-25 Uprising against Muslim Brotherhood: Will this be the start Civil War?

Egyptian revolutionaries of the youth uprising of January 2011 who succeeded in ousting Hosni Mubarak are once again organizing through social media and traditional media outlets (where allowed) to protest against the Morsi presidency and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Egypt’s New Democratic President is Indifferent to Genuine Democratic Reform

President Morsi is moving rapidly to create an Egyptian state of his own vision and that of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB). Less than 60 days ago in the presence of the Supreme Constitutional Court, Mr. Morsi swore an oath to uphold the Egyptian constitution. He has already broken that promise by illegally amending the constitution to extend the powers of the executive office. He is now unilaterally exercising his expanded authority to tighten his grip on Egypt’s media and military.

Copts Forced to Flee their Town

Once again Copts have been forced to leave their homes after Muslim mobs loot and set them ablaze, this time in the village of Dahshor, 20 miles south of Cairo. This incident began on Wednesday (July 25) with a singed shirt mistakenly scorched by a Coptic laundry presser who was preparing the garment.

Egypt’s Tantawi defies Muslim Brotherhood declaring: Egypt is for all, not just one group

The military’s intervention in the days after polls closed in Egypt’s presidential election gave the country a reprieve from the looming threat of civil war which a Shafiq win was bound to spark.

Egyptian presidential election: Leading Egypt to democracy or disaster?

As reported in the Egyptian press last week, American senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Kerry, asserted that Egypt’s recent parliamentary elections were conducted honestly and without fraud (masrawy.com, 5/25/12). Masrawy further recorded that Senator Kerry advised the Egyptian people to accept the results of the upcoming presidential election after the challenges of the past year.

Egypt’s Election: A Victim of Power Struggle

In all likelihood, the Egyptian military, which has been successful in igniting warfare in the Cairo streets, pitting Muslim against Christian and inciting Islamist against freedom-fighters, will soon be rewarded with civil war. Exacerbated by pressures from Muslim Brotherhood and Salafi factions while trying to maintain control of the country and hold on to protected interests, Egypt’s military leaders, playing both sides, may very well favor protesters and halt the upcoming November 28th election, the event which would most likely turn the country over to the Muslim Brotherhood and the strict rule of Islam. This power struggle between Islamic fundamentalists and the all-powerful Egyptian military to gain control of Egypt ignores the will of the people who shed their blood for freedom and human rights during the Lotus uprising earlier this year.

The Reason behind Egyptian Christian Anti-Semitism

Bishop Musa, Coptic Bishop of Youth in Egypt, stated in a recent interview with Egyptian magazine Rosa le-Youssef (June 15, issue #1827), that Copts in Egypt are in no need of protection from anywhere outside of Egypt because Copts are protected “through Allah and their Muslim brothers,” – “brothers” I believe refers to a tiny percentage of Muslims in Egypt who are liberal and secular, believe in freedom of speech and freedom of religion, and willing to live peacefully among Copts.