Resources
Turkey’s Treatment of Protestant Christians Reported to Human Rights Committee
Publication Date: 23/5/2021
Source: Persecution
A group of four NGOs submitted a report to the Human Rights Committee outlining the persecution against Protestant Christians in Turkey, specifically the impact of the restrictions of foreign Christians.
Turkey violates its own constitution as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Turkey adopted in 2003. Freedom of religion is restricted, particularly as it pertains to minority communities. When Turkey adopted the ICCPR, it did so with reservation to article 27 that protects minorities saying, “The Republic of Turkey reserves the right to interpret and apply the provisions of Article 27 of the ICCPR in accordance with the related provisions and rules of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey and the Treaty of Lausanne of 24 July 1923 and its Appendixes.” Under this, Protestant Christians face persecution.
US report blasts Turkey for restricting religious minorities
Publication Date: 14/5/2021
Source: Arab News
A new report released Wednesday follows a trend from the US State Department in criticizing Turkey for restricting the rights of non-Muslim religious groups in the country.
The latest report focused on the challenges non-Muslim religious groups have faced in operating houses of worship, holding board elections for their foundations, and obtaining exemptions from mandatory religion courses in schools, which are in violation of the European Court of Human Rights’ 2013 ruling.
3 detained for dancing on gate of Armenian church in İstanbul
Publication Date: 12/7/2021
Source: Turkish Minute
Three people were detained after videos circulating on social media showed them dancing on the gate of an Armenian church in İstanbul, sparking outrage among Turkey’s Armenian community and Armenian activists, according to a statement from the İstanbul Governor’s Office.
The incident took place at the Surp Takavor Church in Kadıköy.
Suspects in Hate Crime Against Minya Coptic Christian Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison
Publication Date: 16/6/2021
Source: Egyptian Streets
The Minya Criminal Court has sentenced 10 defendants to five years in prison each for their role in a wave of hate crimes committed against the Coptic Christian community in 2016 in the village of Korm in Abu Qurqas. The ruling, issued yesterday Tuesday the 16th of June, also acquitted 14 others due to insufficient evidence tying them to the crimes, which included acts of violence, vandalism and arson attacks against the Coptic Christian citizens of Abu Qurqas, Minya.
The violence broke out in May 2016 in the village of Korm following rumors of an interfaith affair between a Muslim woman and a Coptic Christian man, Attiya Daniel. Daniel’s mother, Soad Thabet, was targeted by angry mobs of Muslim villagers who dragged her out of her home, assaulted her, stripped her and paraded her naked in the streets.
The Contested Politics of Coptic Diasporic Activism
Author: Michael Akladios & Miray Philips
Publication Date: 6/7/2021
Source: The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy
On November 6, 1972, assailants set fire to the headquarters of the Holy Bible Society in Al-Khanka, Qalyubia, because Coptic villagers had been using part of the building as an unlicensed church. A few days later in response, Pope Shenouda III ordered an entourage of priests and bishops to visit the village. Following a Coptic procession on November 12, local Muslim villagers staged demonstrations, fired into the crowd, and set half a dozen Coptic homes ablaze. President Anwar al-Sadat initiated a parliamentary investigation into the incident, resulting in a final report that recommended clarifying government procedures for licensing church construction and issuing permits—recommendations that were never followed through.
Coptic Churches participate in the subscriptions for the celebrations of Eid al Adha, the Islamic Festival of Sacrifice
Publication Date: 22/6/2021
Source: Agenzia Fides
Daily coexistence between Muslim and Christian communities in Countries with an Islamic majority is often marked by problems and accidents, but it is also strewn with gestures of mutual generosity and codified customs that express attention and respect, especially in conjunction with their respective religious holidays.
Pope Tawadros II announces launch of Coptic Orthodox Church English website
Publication Date: 1/6/2021
Source: Ahram Online
Pope Tawadros II, the head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church, announced the launch of the Church’s official website in English, a statement by the Church read on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Pope Tawadros II said the launch of the English website targets new generations and Coptic youths residing in English speaking countries.
Family of murdered Coptic man forced to leave North Sinai, faced online threats
Author: Basma Mostafa
Publication Date: 26/5/2021
Source: Mada Masr
Shoes and a phone were what Peter Habashy found on the street in front of his father Nabil’s house in Bir al-Abd, North Sinai, after the neighbors called him and told him they’d heard gunshots last November. Nabil Habashy had been kidnapped earlier that evening.
The Coptic family later received a phone call from the kidnappers, according to Marina Habashy, Nabil’s daughter. They asked for a ransom payment of LE3 million, which they called a jizya (a tax Muslim emprires historically levied on non-Muslim residents). They said if they didn’t have the money within 48 hours, they would behead Nabil, Marina told Mada Masr.
