By Coptic Solidarity –
Coptic Solidarity’s 9th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. on June 21-22, 2018 will focus on Egypt’s Copts: Faces of Persecution. This leading policy event brings together top legislators, academics, and policy experts to share their views and recommendations for the Egyptian government to provide greater protection for the Copts with and to help them achieve equality in Egypt.
Coptic Solidarity is proud to have a diverse group of guest speaker including Muslims, Secularists, Jewish, and Christians who are Greek Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant.
Guest speakers include several US Members of Congress, Ambassador Michael Kozak – US Department of State, Ms. Kristina Arriaga – Vice-Chair USCIRF, H.E. Ambassador László Szabó, MD – Hungarian Ambassador to US, Lord David Alton – UK House of Lords, MP Garnett Genuis – Canada House of Commons, Dr. Hamed Abdel Samed – German-Egyptian political scientist and author, Dr. Wafa Sultan – Author and Expert in Islamic Terrorism, and Ms. Raheel Raza – President, Muslims Facing Tomorrow, as well as and a variety of academic, NGO, and policy experts.
Confirmed U.S. Legislator speakers include: Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R – FL), Rep. French Hill (R – AR), Rep. Randy Hultgren (R – IL), Rep. Jim McGovern (D – MA), Rep. Albio Sires (D- NJ), Rep. Dave Trott (R – MI)
The Policy Day will be hosted on Thursday, June 21, on Capitol Hill at the House Visitor Center, Room 201 with a program from 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM. A light lunch will be provided.
The conference will continue on June 22nd at Holiday Inn National Airport/Crystal City with a full day program from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, followed by a reception starting at 5:30 PM and the annual gala dinner starting at 6:30 PM. The keynote speaker for the gala dinner is Mr. Azbej Tristan – Hungarian Deputy State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians.
Gala dinner tickets may be purchased on Coptic Solidarity’s website.
Egypt continues to undergo a formidable crackdown on freedom of the press, freedom of association, among other major civil liberties under the guise of combating terrorism. The attacks against Copts by Egyptian Islamists have risen dramatically in the past several years with over 100 Copts killed in 2017 alone. The focus this year will be on the various ways in which Copts suffer daily discrimination and persecution in Egypt and recommendations to help them achieve equality.
View confirmed speaker list and program.
The conference is open to the public and press. Guests may register online.
Media attendees are requested to RSVP to [email protected]
Coptic Solidarity is an organization seeking to help minorities, particularly the Copts, of Egypt and we support those in Egypt working for democracy, freedom, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all Egyptian citizens. It advocates in cooperation with the affiliated organizations in Canada and in Europe (Solidarité Copte). For more information, contact Lindsay Griffin at 801-512-1713 or [email protected]
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Photo: Reuters/Stringer