09-19-2006, 08:03 PM
Bismillah
as salam alykom
Welcome back deen, pls check your pm, which are sitting there since a long time.
now back to our core of interest. Not every situation appears in the manner you perceive it.
CC and Shamms, I m Egyptian living in Egypt among a Copt (Nasara who are called here as Orthodox). And of course you are aware that historically, Egypt was opened by the Muslim army at the time of Omar's reign. But let me explain and of course this in no way an under estimation to your knoweldge. Just bringing the info forward.
Are you aware that the Muslim army didnt move toward Egypt willingly, but rather Omar received an SOS from the Egyptian Coptic community who were under serious oppression by the Roman Catholics. They wanted to force them into abanding their sect as being Orthodox and join Catholisim by force. If u search Roman Emperors and a number of saints, you will come accross this fact. So Egyptian Copts were seriously oppressed, tortured, ..etc in order to join Catholisim. Knowing that Muslims dont force anyone into their faith, they sent for help from Omar. He sent an army headed by Amr Ibn Al A`as, who even tried his best to evade fighting. Copts lived side by side with Muslim, nothing was touched of their worship places. But you know what CC and shamm, the number of Copts went down because many of them embraced Islam willingly. BTW, modern Copts know this very well.
Just for the record.