David Bebawy's Weblog

On December 7, 2011, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission heard testimony concerning the plight of Egypt’s Copts.  The witnesses included Kathy Fitzpatrick (Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State); Nina Shea (Director, Center for Religious Freedom, Hudson Institute); Dina Guirguis (Member, Egyptian American Rule of Law Association); Adel Guindy (President, Coptic Solidarity International); Cynthia Farahat (Co-Founder, Liberal Egyptian Party); and Raymond Ibrahim (Middle East specialist and Associate fellow, Middle East Forum).

Below is a partial transcript of Farahat’s moving, and disturbing testimony before Congress.  Check out the video that follows for the full testimony.

“… In 1971, President Sadat introduced shariah law to the constitution and now I think it’s, qualifies to say that Egypt is a constitutional theocracy and it’s not a modern state. The consequences were that Copts are no longer, according to shariah law, identified or defined as citizen. I have an Egyptian passport, but I’m not a citizen. The concept of citizenship is a Western concept that does not apply to us in Egypt. I‘m a woman and I’m a Copt. I’m a fourth-class citizen in Egypt. A first-class citizen in Egypt is the Sunni male, Muslim male. The second-class is the Sunni female. The third-class is the Coptic male. And fourth-class is the Coptic female.

And that’s why none of the people that committed crimes, none of the criminals that committed crimes against Copts were prosecuted in any way. Because it is against shariah law and that’s a fact. It’s not an opinion. To persecute someone for – a Muslim, for killing, raping, torturing, or vandalizing the property of a non-Muslim or a dhimmi. So this is our legal status. And this has been happening under the Mubarak’s so-called moderate regime, an ally of the West, and it’s now happening now. It was only inevitable that they take their radicalism a step further and start killing Copts in the street in front of TV cameras with live ammunition and running them over with armored military vehicles they probably got from the United States of America. …”

Warning, Farahat’s descriptions of the massacre are graphic:

Sources:

1. http://www.theblaze.com/stories/egyptian-coptic-christian-testifies-before-congress-i-am-a-woman-and-im-a-copt-im-a-fourth-class-citizen/
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHQbXPBEw-s
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC5MCamauos
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoQWeJusZRI
5. http://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/p18878.xml
6. http://www.securefreedom.org

Introducing, with the blessings of His Grace Bishop David, the FIRST reality TV show in CYC’s history!!

Do you believe you have what it takes to be a leader?
Do you want the chance to put your talents on display for thousands of viewers to see?
Do you want the chance to win an internship with a National Leadership Honors Society, including an all expense paid trip for two days of training?

If your answer is yes, then you may be CYC’s Next Top Leader!!

CYC’s Next Top Leader will pit 10 Coptic college youth in the New York/New Jersey area in an “Apprentice” style reality competition, where they will vie for the title of “CYC’s Next Top Leader”. All contestants must 18 or older.

If you believe you have what it takes, then show us!!

Post a video to our wall of yourself explaining why you think you can be CYC’s next top leader…the only rule is to keep it clean, but be as creative as you like!! Our top 10 videos will be selected to begin filming in January 2012.

More information will be available in the coming days…but for now, invite your friends, and start brainstorming! Last day for submissions is December 15th!!!

Should you have any questions, contact us at cycnexttopleader@yahoo.com

LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE!!! http://www.facebook.com/pages/CYCs-Next-Top-Leader/201923693215750

Dear Readers and Friends,

l have registered to run in The 2011 “Exercise Your Spirit” 5K Run on June 18th, 2011. Please sponsor my efforts to raise the MOST MONEY for the building of a new church for St. George and St. Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Church in Jersey City, NJ.   I would really love it if you could all join me at the 5K Run.  It will be a wonderful day of fellowship and Christian fun.  Everyone really stepped up and dug deep last year and with your help I raised $7,294.26.  I ask you to help me again this year with your support.  Please share the following link with anyone who is willing to donate and/or participate, including your friends, family and coworkers.

Link to Sponsor

David H Bebawy

Thank you all for your future donations and support!

–

SPONSOR ME – http://5krun.nihov.org/2011/runners#1
–
David Bebawy
http://5krun.nihov.org/2011/runners#1
http://davidbebawy.com

Download CTV – Aam Web Qowah

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Christ is Risen!

Truly, He is Risen!

I wanted to share with you this nice song about the change and impact of our Lord’s Resurrection.  It is Arabic but I have translated it for all to benefit.

My Lord Jesus, from the darkness of His tomb,
Rose and His resurrection was powerful,
After the pain of His crucifixion and His tomb,
He brought joy to mankind through His resurrection.

He Rose with Power, and with this He, (2)
Brought joy to mankind through His resurrection. (2)

Every sorrowful soul about His death,
after His resurrection became joyful,
Mariam and the disciples from His voice,
Heard His words and saw him with their eyes.

He Rose with Power, and with this He drew, (2)
A smile on any frowning face. (2)

The darkness of the tomb did not hinder Him,
Or the binding of His clothes,
Or the soldiers guarding Him,
Or the door of the tomb and it’s seal.

He Rose with Power, and over Him, (2)
Never did death have any power. (2)

Even my church after its weeping,
And the black covers it for a week.
Returns again and tells me the story,
After that Jesus rose from the tomb.

He Rose with Power, and He wiped, (2)
From my check every tear. (2)

Being that yesterday was the appropriate Sunday, I wanted to share this with all of you.  This is a hymn for the Man Born Blind.  It is typically recited during communion of the sixth week of the Great Lent.  The attached audio is a recording of the hymn in Arabic.

David Bebawy & John Bibawy – Nawar Eneya

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I am the blind without a companion
I don’t have a friend or a pal
Sitting to beg in the street
Opened my eyes, my beloved Jesus

Refrain:
Opened my eyes, my beloved Jesus
Opened my eyes, my beloved Jesus

It was announced to me about the news
Jesus is coming among the multitudes
i cried have mercy on me Jesus
Opened my eyes, my beloved Jesus

One of the disciples rebuked me
For my cries he criticized me
But Jesus came and asked me
Opened my eyes, my beloved Jesus

I don’t care about the criticizers
Jesus is faithful and his promises are true
He spat on the floor and made clay
Opened my eyes, my beloved Jesus

And the Lord of peace said to me
Go, my son, speedily
And wash in the Silwam Lake
Opened my eyes, my beloved Jesus

And I turned intently
With haste and eagerly
And washed my eyes from the clay
Opened my eyes, my beloved Jesus

Jesus healed me the blind
My heart from joy is overflowing
I was blind and now I see
Opened my eyes, my beloved Jesus

I returned to Jesus with great joy
And I worshipped Him with humility
Confessing that He is the Savior
Opened my eyes, my beloved Jesus

At all times I will witness
To the Redeemer of sins I will inform
I was blind and now I see
Opened my eyes, my beloved Jesus

If you come to Him O sinner
He’ll help you, trust me, Jesus loves you
And He’ll open the eyes of your heart
Opened my eyes, my beloved Jesus