Release Kamelia Shehata Zakher (aka Camillia Shehata)
Tensions are building up in Egypt after a group of Islamist lawyers filed an appeal to a court to demand the release of Kamelia Shehata by the Egyptian Coptic Church. The lawyers believed that Kamelia Shehata was incarcerated against her will by the church. The court hearing is scheduled for November 2, 2010.
Who Is Kamelia Shehata?
So who is Kamelia Shehata and why is she mired in this controversy? According to media reports, Kamelia Shehata is a 24 year-old woman who lives in the southern city of Dir-Moas. She is a wife of a Coptic priest. In early July this year, she was apparently kidnapped by an unknown group and she disappeared for five days. Rumors went around that Kamelia Shehata’s kidnapping was to force her to convert to Islam. These rumors sparked anti-Muslim protests by Copts in Cairo. When the Egyptian security forces found Kamelia Shehata, they delivered her to the Coptic Church where she is currently being held.
Call For Return Of Kamelia Shehata
As tensions build, Muslim protesters are demanding for the release of Kamelia Shehata by Coptic Church, with a loud call for Kamelia Shehata to “return to the Muslim community.” The protesters carried photographs showing Kamelia Shehata in a black veil and banners reading “I will die a Muslim”.
Reactions
Human rights groups are likewise concerned with the developments. Hossam Bahgat, who heads the Egyptian Initiative for Human Rights said, “We are concerned for Shehata’s safety and personal liberty. Shehata left her family home willingly and was nevertheless forcibly returned to her family. There is no legal basis for an adult citizen to be transferred to their religious community or his family.” Hossam Bahgat added, “The state and the Church may think that by returning her they will preempt sectarian tension, but in fact we warn that this behavior will only add to tensions in an alarmingly tense atmosphere. The Coptic community is already vulnerable and exposed to sectarian violence. This may escalate the situation to disturbing levels.”
Personal Choice
The director of the American Islamic Congress, Dalia Ziada, told the media that both Muslims and Copts are to be blamed. Dalia Ziada said, “Both sides are exaggerating. The problem in our society is that both sides try to play God and decide for people which religion to have. This reflects a problem of absence of religious tolerance. In the end, it’s a matter of personal choice for Shehata.”
Think About It
Was Kamelia Shehata really kidnapped and forced into Islam? What were the motivations behind her kidnapping? So, is Kamelia Shehata Muslim or Copt? Will she be released by the Coptic Church? As Dalia Zadia puts it, can the choice of one’s religion be forced? Does Kamelia Shehata have a choice?
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