VOA标准英语2014--Copts in Diaspora Worry About Future in Egypt（在线收听）

Copts in Diaspora Worry About Future in Egypt

Around 10 percent of Egypt’s population belong to the Coptic faith, making them the largest Christian minority in the Middle East.  But they have become targets of violence since the revolution three years ago. With elections scheduled for May and the struggle between the Egyptian military and Islamists continuing, many Copts abroad are deeply worried about the future of their ancient church.

The Coptic faith is reputed to be as old as Christianity itself. And its rituals are as elaborate, as they are timeless.

Paul Girguis is an American-born priest at St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox church in suburban Washington.

Since the beginning, he says, Copts have known suffering.

“There was an emperor that said, ‘I’m going to massacre the Christians until the blood in the streets reaches to the knees of my horse," said Girguis.

Copts are enduring what some call their latest pogrom since the Egyptian revolution three years ago.

Scores of churches were destroyed in a rampage last August - and Copts report regular intimidation.

Sandy Salamon was out in Cairo with her mother and aunt.

“I’m not veiled. So, I’m walking down, clearly a Christian, clearly not a conservative Muslim by any means. The looks, the language, even the body language is very threatening body language with the closeness of people who are interacting with you," said Salamon.

Mary Sameh George, reportedly murdered by a mob on March 28 because she had a cross, is being memorialized on expatriate websites.

Salamon says the gender violence is meant to humiliate Copts.

“It’s a weapon that - when that piece of your humanity is attacked, it’s very hard to think about a bigger picture. It’s very hard to fight back," she said.

The future may look bright in St. Mark's oversubscribed Sunday school.  But the outlook for Copts back in Egypt - if the world just passively watches - upsets Adel Messeh.

“You want to end up with a Middle East with no Christians?  The area [that was] the origin of the thiree major religions? asked Messeh.

It’s a fear that’s in the back of many of their minds.

But as they complement their ancient rites with American-style revival worship, hope is not lost.

“The Coptic people are a very resilient people," said Girguis.

After all, says Father Girguis, if they survived 20 centuries, they can overcome the hardships of the 21st.