Washington D.C., Aug 26, 2013 / 16:32 pm
Coptic Christians must turn to their centuries-long history of overcoming obstacles as they seek to maintain their identity while fleeing violence amid Egyptian upheaval, scholars said at a recent event.
"Yes it's a story of decline, but also of survival; yes it's a story of decay, but it's one of endurance as well," said Samuel Tadros, author of the recent book, "Motherland Lost: The Egyptian and Coptic Quest for Modernity."
Tadros, a native of Egypt, is a research fellow at the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom. He spoke on the history of Copts in Egypt at an Aug. 22 event in Washington, D.C.
Nina Shea, director of the Center for Religious Freedom, also spoke, explaining that contemporary political events bring this subject into even sharper focus.