- H.H. Pope Shenouda III

Who are we?

We are a group of concerned individuals who refuse to sit idly by and watch the situation deteriorate in Egypt, our motherland. We stand against the abuse of human rights, the erosion of the Egyptian identity and the fundamentalist ideas that are exported to Egypt at an ever-increasing and alarming rate.

We are not a secret organization or an opposition party.

We are not associated with any organizations or political movements inside or outside Egypt. We do not adopt a specific political direction. We welcome all schools of thought and political leanings in an environment characterized by mutual respect.

We do not claim to represent the Coptic people as a whole politically or otherwise in any official capacity.

We do believe that a wide sector of the Coptic population inside and outside Egypt shares our opinion.

We are the Free Copts.

Copts are Egyptians. We are Egyptians first and foremost and we are Egyptians to the core. We will not be alienated or allow our identity to be the subject of debate.

We call for a return to a secular Egypt, one capable of fostering difference in opinions and directions without any discrimination. We call for a just Egypt that does not differentiate between its citizens on any basis, one where all of her people stand equal before the constitution and the law.

We invite all Egyptians, regardless of their religion, to encourage the redevelopment of Egypt, to reverse the negative trends and to make up for lost time and opportunities. We call upon Egyptians to begin soul-searching and to revive and nurture the unique Egyptian identity.

We call upon Egyptians to read the proud history of our ancient civilization, to bring back the language unique to Egypt, the Coptic (Egyptian) language, so that we may connect with our glorious past and build an even more glorious future. We call upon the people of Egypt to rise and rebuild; to create a modern match to one of the greatest ancient civilizations the world has ever known.

We are simple Egyptians who have found no tools other than our pens to influence our painful present. We will fight with words in this struggle for freedom and democracy, for justice and equality and for advancement and modernization.

We will fight for our beloved homeland and for a better tomorrow. Our fight is not one of weapons, battles or bloodshed. It will not be fought with offensive insults. It is a fight for thoughts and words, for civilized discussions and constructive dialog.

We aim to find, embrace and work side-by-side with other Egyptians whether they have similar or different ideas.

We believe dialogue is the only route to solve our problems and advance our cause.

We call upon all to come and express their views.
(English, Arabic and Italian)

The Free Copts