Monday, October 10, 2011

Flight from Egypt: Christians emigrate for political reasons

Since March, increased religious tension in Egypt has led to the emigration of about 100 thousand Christians.

The Egyptian Union of human rights organisations has spoken out against this, saying that this mass exodus could alter the Country’s demography as well as its economic stability.

The main catalyst for this emigration can be found in the conflict between Salaphites and Copts, the organisation stressed.

According to analysts, this high rate of emigration is mostly a consequence of the Arab Spring revolts which began in December 2010 and are supposed to have boosted the power held by the Islamic component within Egyptian society. 

The “Christian Post” has said that traditionalist fiction between Muslims and Christians are now translating into a willingness felt by the former, to push out the latter, considered by some to be invaders of a land that is predominantly Muslim.

Moreover, the Salaphites who have been playing an active role in the Egyptian revolts are now seeing their political influence rise.

According to Naguib Gabriel, director of the Egyptian Union of human rights organisations, Copts are not abandoning Egypt because they want to, they are forced to flee from the Salaphites who use aggressive tactics against them.