There had been emails circulating among the Egyptian leftist Yahoo! Groups demanding an investigation into the death of a Coptic army conscript. The emails had links to The Free Copts website, which alleges Private Hani Sarofim was tortured to death by his commander to force his conversion to Islam.
The article included a statement by the deceased family and contact numbers, which when I tried, I could not get through.
I am extremely troubled by this, and can not validate what happened. The Free Copts have previously reported on some serious abuses that did indeed happen, but there were other cases which they blew out of proportion. I don’t know if this case is true, but if so, then one can safely say we are still living in the Medieval Ages. Please if anyone has more information about this subject, or if you managed to get through to the family on the phone numbers, fill us in.
Hey Hossam –
I found this story over at Free Copts as well. I shuddered in horror as I read the story. I hope it’s not true that maybe it’s a misunderstanding but I don’t know. Please please keep us posted if you hear anything more. I’ll do the same.
I don’t even think “medieval ages” describes it.
Salaam
If these news are true, it is untolerable and unjustified. This is aginst everything, humanity, Islam, anything and everything. As a human being, a moslem, an Egyptian and an Arab, I totally detest such a barbaric action, and cry out to everyone to shoutloud to every possible intity in this world to get this officer punished. He should be brought to justice under the most harsh punishment. If he is to be tried in front of a true Islamic court, he would be beheaded for such violence against such an innocent soul. I really feel I would cry of anger.
“If he is to be tried in front of a true Islamic court, he would be beheaded for such violence against such an innocent soul. “
Ummmmm, no thank you, I’d rather see him tried in front of a civil court. Not a true islamic court, not a true christian court, and not any religion court. Enough what these god-says-so courts did, do, and will do.
The Big Pharaoh, well, I’m not suggesting that he is to be brought to an Islamic Court, although this is the only one available in Egypt. But what I meant is that even by the Islamic Laws that he is said to defend and believe in, he would be deemed “criminal” and would get the harshest punishment for his crime. I’m saying this so that all Moslems know that if they think that forcing someone to become a Moslem – nevertheless, killing him – is not an Islamic virtue by all means. May be the ignorant part of us would learn one day!!!!
Hey Peter, I emailed a rights activist I know to ask about this case, and here’s what he wrote back:
“Spoke to the family last week. nyaba (prosecutor) ordered autopsy and still waiting for the report. Disgrace that not a single newspaper has dared to report the death yet.”
Thanks Hoss – You’re the best man!!
BP, words cannot explain how much I agree with you. Let’s get religion out of government, court… etc.