Coptic Solidarity Conference Examines US Support for Islamist Government in Egypt

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Coptic Solidarity is taking up a critical issue this week through hosting their fourth annual conference titled To What Extent Will the U.S. and the International Community Support an Islamist Government in Egypt?  This timely topic follows on the heels of the unprecedented attack on the Coptic Papal seat at St. Mark's earlier this year as well as continued systematic discrimination and persecution of Egypt's Coptic minority.

The conference will have a Policy Day at the Capitol Hill Visitor's Center on Thursday, June 20^th. Confirmed speakers include Ambassador Bennett, Canada's new Religious Freedom Ambassador; R. James Woolsey, Chairman, Foundation for Defense of Democracies and Former Director of Central Intelligence; Baroness Cox, of UK House of Lords; Judge Michael Mukasey, 81st United States Attorney General; Judith Miller, Author and Journalist; Egyptian politicians and activists; Members of the US Congress, Canadian parliament, former US national security personnel and academics. These speakers will provide an in depth view of the question at hand.

Coptic Solidarity will be presenting a Leadership Award to Representative Frank Wolf, recognizing his tireless efforts on behalf of Egypt's Copts.  On Friday, the conference will move to the Dulles A/P Marriott Hotel.

Several recent actions by Obama's administration demonstrate a lack of serious concern for the situation in Egypt.  Last week, the State Department declined to allow the Ambassador at Large, Susan Johnson Cook, the opportunity to testify at a hearing examining the effectiveness of US foreign policy in the promotion of religious freedom since passage of the International Religious Freedom Act in 1998.

The State Department also did not designate Egypt as a 'Country of Particular Concern' (CPC) despite ongoing, systematic, and egregious violation of religious and other freedoms.

Coptic Solidarity President, Mr. Adel Guindy, states, "US foreign policy towards Egypt is at a critical juncture. We must have a candid discussion and mobilize individuals concerned with the dignity and rights of all Egyptians to take concerted action before the situation in Egypt further deteriorates. We need to send this message to the US government as loudly and clearly as possible."

Coptic Solidarity encourages individuals and media to attend. Registration and agenda at: http://www.copticsolidarity.org

Coptic Solidarity is non-profit organization dedicated to leading efforts to achieve equal citizenship for the Copts in Egypt. For more information, contact Hal Meawad 240-644-5153 or [email protected]

SOURCE Coptic Solidarity