Middle East Transparent	11 October 04	شفــــاف الشــــرق الأوســــط
On the sidelines of the first Coptic symposium in Zurich What to do now? Youssef Sidhom Since Watani printed the details and resolutions of the first Coptic symposium which was held in Zurich last September, I have been repeatedly asked by almost everyone I met whether this solicited any reaction on the part of the Egyptian media. My reply is that the coming days will reveal whether the media—which had rushed to brand the symposium a conspiracy even before it started—possessed any willingness to assess the matter objectively and refrain from deluding the public. I have also been asked whether I expected any positive reaction from the relevant State apparatuses. My reply is that an analysis of the present policies of the State and the government, and their current method of dealing with the problems of Egyptians in general and Copts in particular make me no optimist. A long history of official disregard and denial of the curtailment of Coptic citizenship rights appears to confirm my pessimism. The dominant official culture considers the admission, confrontation, and treatment of our problems as acts of national indignity and a distortion of Egypt’s image abroad. All that matters as far as this official culture is concerned is that foreigners would get to see a brightly whitewashed house on the outside, but never see the confusion or disorder inside. Such a concept only serves to hamper reform at home, whether on the political front or on the front of equality and full citizenship rights for all Egypt’s sons and daughters. I believe that Coptic problems can only be solved through democracy and political reform. I am thus keen to emphasise in all conventions I take part in whether inside or outside Egypt, with Egyptians or non-Egyptians, that the Coptic grievances file is inseparable from the Egyptian grievances file, and that both can only be tackled through upholding democracy and human rights for all Egyptians. Democratic practice will serve to activate the mechanisms of accountability and control, so that no official or State apparatus can get away with any legislative flaw or act of discrimination against any citizen. And upholding human rights will serve to put an end to violations of citizenship rights and freedoms on the part of any group or sector against another. State apparatuses will be placed in a position where they must practice absolute integrity where different citizens are concerned, protecting, defending, and guaranteeing the rights of one and all indiscriminately. Last month, it became evident during the National Democratic Party’s [the ruling party in Egypt] congress that promotion of democracy and implementation of political reform have been postponed. Hopes that the government would courageously face up to the Zurich symposium’s resolutions have consequently diminished. The mere act of studying the symposium’s papers and resolutions on the part of the government—at least to determine the points of agreement or difference—now appears far-fetched. Within an obdurate, change-resistant official climate, what can we do? Do we fold our papers, close our files, and stop striving for change? Or do we freeze our problems until further notice of a more favourable political mood or an official announcement of the arrival of democracy? Such a decision, I believe, would be a grave mistake. It would indicate an inability to take action in the direction of change, and would brand us—deservedly—as impotent non-doers on the receiving end of society. Instead, I believe we each have a mission to accomplish. There is a lot we can do to promote a national Egyptian climate that would induce an enhanced awareness of Coptic grievances and citizenship woes among our Muslim fellow citizens. We face a huge challenge of preaching the values of love, tolerance, co-existence, and acceptance of the other in our individual communities. After all, if we claim that we are suffering because of our religion, we might as well remember that love is the cornerstone of this religion. We must fully intermingle with our Muslim homeland partners on all levels of life—the societal, service, artistic, cultural, sports, entertainment, and every other level. Only then can we revive the values of mutual partnership regardless of different religious faith, and insure that our common national identity takes precedence over our different religious one. We should join forces to reform our country as one hand—an Egyptian majority against a minority of fanatics instead of a Muslim majority against a minority of Copts. In short, we have before us a long road of hard work towards mobilising Egyptians on the path of change instead of waiting ineptly until further notice. The first Coptic convention in Zurich (Sept. 23-25)Today and tomorrow
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