Coptic TV Show Causes Controversy in Egypt

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP94305 ^ | 7/27/2005 | The Middle East Research Institute

[Greg F]

The weekly show "Questions About Faith" on the Egyptian based Christian Al-Hayat satellite channel features an Egyptian Coptic priest residing in the United States. Father Zakaria Boutrus, the show, and Al-Hayat TV itself, have come under harsh criticism in the Egyptian press. Boutrus and his show have been accused of attacking Islam; of being supported by the U.S. to sow division and strife; and of "mocking the verses of Allah."

Al-Hayat TV has been accused of being the work of foreign agents collaborating with the U.S., and Pope Shenouda III reportedly announced his opposition to the station's broadcasts, and denied that the station was in any way connected with the Egyptian Church. [1]

One episode which aired on July 4, 2005, discusses anti-Christian verses that, according to Boutrus, should be struck from the Koran. Another episode aired on June 27, 2005, discusses a Hadith, which according to Boutrus, is "reminiscent of Hitler." An episode from June 16, 2005, talks about how Islam is spread by the sword.

Clip 1 - Coptic Priest Zakaria Boutrus: Verses Must be Struck from the Koran; I Demand an Official Apology from Muslim Governments to Christians

[Greg F]

This Coptic priest shows great courage.

[Kolokotronis]

Here’s a link to his website:

http://www.fatherzakaria.net/

[netmilsmom]

We all need to pray for this brave man.

[Greg F]

I don’t usually donate outside of my own local church . . . but this guy is doing something special.

[Greg F]

Lord, continue to bless Father Zakaria with the wisdom, energy, and courage to reach muslims and use him mightily to save them. Protect him from the violence of the evil one and man, protect him from the violence of Islam, and make his paths easy so that he can continue his work. Let his words and example open the hearts of those you wish to draw to you in Islam, save them, and in so doing save the lives of those that they would persecute and kill. Refute the evil in their thoughts, show them that you are a God of love. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

[netmilsmom]

That was beautiful. Thank you!

[Salvation]

Islam's Public Enemy #1

[Salvation]

We deinitely need to continue to pray for Father Zakaria Boutrus!

[Salvation]

In the article I just linked, it talked about how he speaks in Arabic and backs up everything he says from the Koran and other Arabic sources. They are not able to refute him.

[Salvation]

Catholic Discussion Ping!

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[Salvation]

I got the impression he was in Egypt.

[Greg F]

I think he is in the USA. I also think he would be killed in an instant if found in the USA. They are reporting that there is a 5 million dollar bounty on his head.

[mamelukesabre]

There will be violence in egypt over this. And the copt here in america being so “brave” will sit safe and secure. I see my post got removed. Well, gosh! I post the truth and look what happens.

Whatever.

[Greg F]

He’s been doing this for many years. The article I posted is from 2005. He is reputed to have converted 6 million or played a role in it through his program. I think you are rejecting the works of a good man here.

[mamelukesabre]

Converted 6 million what into 6million what?

[Greg F]

“Indeed, Islamic cleric Ahmad al-Qatani stated on al-Jazeera TV a while back that some six million Muslims convert to Christianity annually, many of them persuaded by Botros’s public ministry.”

Sorry . . . six million ANNUALLY!

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NTUwY2QyNjA0NjcwMjExMzI2ZmJiZTEzN2U1YjYyZjE=&w=MA==

[Salvation]

**6million what?**

Christians! Read the other link. It has more information.

[mamelukesabre]

Seeing how there are only about 12 million copts in the ENTIRE WORLD, almost all of which are in egypt, there is something seriously wrong with those numbers.

[Greg F]

Your logic is flawed. Just because this priest is Coptic doesn’t mean that an Islamic convert has a local Coptic church to join. In a lot of these states it will be underground anyway. No formal church at all . . . just Christians meeting in homes.

[mamelukesabre]

Maybe your logic is flawed. If these underground churches are so top secret, how do we know they exist and how do we count the converts?

I'm sorry, it doesn't add up. I wish it did, but it just doesn't. Copts are in a precarious position. Their only way to survive is to keep a low profile. This guy isn't helping.

[Biggirl]

God Bless this priest and what he is doing. It is true when there is oppression and that includes Muslim countries, the Christian churches tend to be underground, just like in the days of Rome. As far as 6 million Muslims leaving Islam, it is in different parts of the global south. God Bless those who honor the command of Christ to make disciples of all the nations.

[Salvation]

I think many became Catholics rather than Coptic.

[newberger]

Ping!

[Bigg Red]

Prayers for this good priest’s work to flourish.

[Antoninus]

Pope Shenouda III reportedly announced his opposition to the station's broadcasts, and denied that the station was in any way connected with the Egyptian Church. [1]

Sadly, many of the eastern patriarchs who reside in majority-Muslim nations have been in the back-pocket of their governments for years.

[Antoninus]

And the copt here in america being so “brave” will sit safe and secure.

Copts have been killed here in the US by Muslims, including an entire family in New Jersey. For a Copt to do something like this while residing in Egypt, his bravery would be suicidal. Literally.

[Antoninus]

Copts are in a precarious position. Their only way to survive is to keep a low profile. This guy isn't helping.

That's no way to live. The Copts, and all the Eastern Christians under the yoke of Islam, should fight for their God-given rights to practice their faith without the threat of death.

[CatQuilt]

Thank you! My husband, from Jersey City where those murders took place, bought the police’s story, hook, line, and sinker...