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As you maybe aware, the indigenous Copts in Egypt, were the first victims of extremist Islamic terrorists in 2011.

In Alexandria, Egypt a lethal car bomb went off outside a Coptic church & killed 22 people and injured 79 Saturday 1/1/2011 at 12.30 am as they were leaving church after midnight mass. Not only is the location despicable, but the timing and occasion make it more hideous. Faithful christians were slaughtered because they went to church "to ask for God's blessing for the coming year and thank him for the year past". It is a disgraceful price to pay, for exercising your Christian Faith

Full Story:   http://www.aina.org/news/20110101232613.htm)
In the aftermath, of the horrific attack there has been worldwide condemnation.

Pope Benedict XVI led condemnation of the attack. In his homily at New Year's Day mass, he spoke of mounting tensions, "especially discrimination, abuse and religious intolerance which are today striking Christians in particular". "I once again launch a pressing appeal not to give in to discouragement and resignation," he said, appealing for the "concrete and constant engagement of leaders of nations" to protect Christians. The

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fuad Twal called on Christians to show courage in the face of the attack. Condemnation and condolences also flowed from across the Middle East.

US President Barack Obama last night condemned separate "outrageous terrorist bombing attacks" in Egypt and Nigeria and said the US was prepared to assist both countries in responding to them. "The perpetrators of this attack were clearly targeting Christian worshipers, and have no respect for human life and dignity. They must be brought to justice for this barbaric and heinous act," he said.
“The United States extends its deepest condolences to the families of those killed and to the wounded in both of these attacks, and we stand with the Nigerian and Egyptian people at this difficult time,” Mr. Obama said

British junior foreign office minister Alistair Burt said "the world must be increasingly vigilant against such attacks, remain united in promotion of common values of tolerance and stand against the terrorist philosophy of violence".
Russian President Medvedev In a message to his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak on Saturday, severely condemned the New Year night’s terrorist bombing that killed 21 and injured close to 80 worshipers in a church in Egypt’s second city Alexandria.
Mr Shaoquett Moselmane Member of the legislative council NSW Parliament, "I wish to add my voice to yours and condemn all forms of religious violence and all forms of conflicts in the name of religion. There can be no justification for bloodshed between the people Muslims and Christians. The overwhelming majority of this great Country, whether Muslim or Christine, want peace and they want the ability for all to live in Peace as they have done for centuries. I wish you a happy new year and hope for peace for all Egyptians. Can I join you and wish you and Pope Shenouda, whom I had personally met and hold in great esteem, and to all Copts a Merry Christmas and a  happy and safe  new year, and hope you can celebrate Christmas Mass in peace and security on 7 January 2011."
Kind Regards
Shaoquett Moselmane
MLC
The Coptic community asks every person of every creed & race to join in the worldwide chorus of condemnation against these hideous attacks. It is time for us, all humanity to unite, and in light of this unspeakable crime declare “enough is enough” and utterly reject any form of religious terrorism or extremism perpetrated against other humans because of their faith.
Please click the link and voice your support by signing the online petition
Started by Mr Joseph Hakim, Vice-President of the International Christian Union,.
http://www.gopetition.com/petition/41702.html  Please forward / Publish
We request the media refer to the Petition link in any future articles relating to the incident.


Statement from His Grace Bishop Suriel

To The Congregation of the Diocese of Melbourne

Copts Massacred on New Years Day 2011

http://www.epsajee.com/pdf/Statement_from_Bishop_Suriel.pdf

Another atrocity has taken place against Coptic Christians of Egypt on New Year’s Day.

Following two months of incitement by prominent Islamic scholars on Egyptian television and vicious protests against His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, Islamic fanatics have consummated their months and months of vitriol against the defenceless Coptic Christian worshippers by exploding a massive car bomb in front of St Paul and St Peter’s Coptic Orthodox Church in the Alexandria suburb of Sedi Beshr.

The bomb was exploded at 12:20 am on 1 January 2011, as worshippers were leaving the church after midnight prayers to welcome the New Year. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III delegated representative at the site of the massacre, His Eminence Metropolitan Pachomius, has advised me that the carnage from this latest act of barbarism so far includes 17 Coptic martyrs, 58 critically wounded and 5 or 6 unaccounted victims.

What is even more concerning is eye witness accounts from the scene of this atrocity which reveal that the vehicle involved carried a sign in the back window stating, "There is more to come." As the explosion took place and bodies of the victims were thrown everywhere, a group of assembled locals were shouting, “Allah Akbar” (God is Great), the well-known Islamic battle cry.

This latest slaughter follows a long and shameful list of the most heinous crimes committed against the Copts in the last decade. The pattern is very clear and amounts to what can only be described as genocide against a peaceful and God-fearing people.This has been a particularly sorrowful bereavement for our own congregation here in Melbourne, some of which have lost relatives in the massacre. I have visited our people to express my sympathy and regret, before they departed to Egypt this Sunday evening to attend the funerals of their loved ones in Alexandria.

May the Lord repose the souls of the departed and strengthen their families in these very difficult times. We pray for His Holiness Pope Shenouda III and the whole church on this sad day of our history. We turn, as always, to our Lord the Supreme Protector who said that the Gates of Hades shall not prevail against His precious church, and who also said for “he who touches you, touches the apple of his eye.” I invite our beloved congregation to The Dome on Wednesday 5 January 2011 at 7.00 pm, to pray together for the peace of our beloved church, and to discuss our response to the continuing persecution of our people, and the marshalling of international attention on the atrocities committed against the Copts. I will also commence a week of mourning for our fallen brothers and sisters and will now pray Christmas liturgy at St Anthony’s Monastery. I have cancelled Christmas celebrations at The Dome this year, and will instead hold an ecumenical day of prayer on 7 January 2011 at St Paul’s Cathedral on Flinders Street at 12 pm, along with the leaders of other Christian churches in Melbourne.

I will not this year be accepting official Christmas greetings from the Egyptian Consul-General, and I have asked the priests in our churches in Canberra and Wellington not to receive Egyptian diplomatic and consular representation there either. If you would like to send any financial assistance to the families of the martyr's in Alexandria you may deposit your donations in the following Bank Account and mark it "Alexandria Martyrs"

Coptic Charity Account
Commonwealth Bank

BSB: 063 159

ACC:1024 6268

My heart is deeply saddened by what has happened to our beloved people at the beginning of a new year. I know that you share my pain, and that your love and care for your brothers and sisters in the Mother Church knows no boundaries. May God bless you and strengthen you, as you stand against this continuing injustice.

Bishop Anba Suriel
Bishop of Melbourne