On October 9, 2011, thousands of Copts gathered on Shubrā Street, Cairo, in order to begin a march in protest of a church burning in Mārīnāb,[1] Aswan and earlier other attacks against churches that have accelerated since the Revolution of 2011. On this fatal day priest and activist, Father Filopatir, called demonstrators to end their march in Egypt’s television building called Maspero which, since the Revolution, had been guarded by the Egyptian Army to prevent any unauthorized person from entering the building. The protests on that day escalated into a bloody confrontation between the military unit with police tasks in front of Maspero and the protestors. As a result, 24 died immediately as a result of the attacks, and three died later. 

Copts gathering at Maspero television building.    Source: Copts United

American researcher, Jayson Casper, says that a military court sentenced three young soldiers to prison sentences of two to three years. To many Coptic and political movements, justice has not been done since the former heads of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) went unpunished.

Maspero became a name associated to media misreporting, since Egyptian media based in Maspero, as later turned out, falsely claimed that the Coptic demonstrators initiated an attack on the army. The name Maspero also became linked to a latent sectarianism against Copts.[2] But most importantly, it now became a symbol for divisions among political activists on to how to commemorate the day.

Civilians clash with the military at Maspero, Oct. 2011.    Source: Al Badil

This year Coptic movements and families are divided. The Maspero Youth Union is insisting on a religious ceremony in a church, despite criticisms from other Coptic movements against holding it  in a place of worship. Worse yet, are the division that came to fore  between the Maspero Youth Union and the families of the Maspero martyrs, which involves questioning the union for the transfer of donations granted to families of the martyrs.

An October 1 statement issued by the Union of the Families of the Martyrs of Maspero declared that it is the sole organization that represents the families of the martyrs of Maspero, October 9, 2011. With the current security situation in the country in mind, they opted for a mass in Angel’s Church in 6th of October City on the 11th of October rather than on the day of the massacre. They explained that the reason for this is that the Maspero Youth Union had planned a commemoration on the 9th of October in the same church which the families of the victims did not want.        

They also warned the union not to claim they represent the families, or collect donations from abroad on their behalf, what they called “using their names” to make money. They warned “we shall take legal procedures against any person (that claims that) and it is enough what had happened previously in that regard.”[3]

In response, the Maspero Youth Union issued a statement on October 7 and stated that they will restrict the memorial to a gathering in the cave church at Saint Simon the Shoemaker’s Monastery in Muqattam, out of respect for the Egyptian people in their war against terror. This was done in order to avoid the possibility of having “a political faction” stating that Copts are “in favor of the coup of June 30”, hinting at claims of the Muslim Brotherhood in that line.[4]

Coptic Human Rights Activist, Ra’id al-Sharqāwī explains the rift between the Union and families.  He states,  

Following the widely publicized demonstrations and deaths the families of the victims of the clashes received an outpour of sympathy of Copts in North America. That resulted in donations that were channeled through the leaders of the Maspero Youth Union to the families of the victims. Much of this money, however, never went to the families. Families received first 1000 EGP each then, after a fuss developed about organizers keeping money in their own pockets, families received a year later another 6500 EGP. The family of Mina Daniel, however, refused to accept such financial support for the death of their son and brother. The main problem here is lack of proper transparent structures. Donations were channeled to private people instead of the bank account of an organization.  

It is understandable that the families of the martyr’s prefer a religious ceremony to remember their beloved ones. It is, however, perplexing that a political movement, such as Maspero Youth Union, commemorates the day in a church and in a religious manner.   

Copts mourn their loved ones.    Source: Misr al-Yawm

Coptic Orthodox priest, Yo’annis, remembers the death of Shenouda, a young man from a village close to Maghāghah, who, two years ago, went with other Coptic youth from Maghāghah to Cairo to demonstrate.

“The lesson of Maspero is that we Christians have to respond differently to injustice. Not through demonstrations but through prayer,” says the priest who already in October 2011 voiced is his disagreement with Father Filopatir to organize a demonstration.  

The Coalition of Egyptian Copts, however, has a different opinion and will demonstrate front of the Maspero building. They stated that the commemoration of the massacre should have an Egyptian, rather than a religious character, since it pertains to all Egyptians.[5] They will be joined by youth of political parties and movements which have issued a joint statement on October 4 denouncing authorities who have not punished the senior officers who were responsible for the lower officers at the scene two years ago.[6]  
 

Maged, an American Copt who blogs by the name "Salamamoussa" believes,  

[...]the Maspero commemoration this year will be muted. Part of it is the changed political environment, but largely it  is due to the events since last year, such as the Cathedral attack and the burning of the Churches in August. Horrible as Maspero was, it seems new horrors have taken their place... I am, for the first time in a long time, optimistic that a new Coptic sensibility and activism will emerge, influenced more by the optimism of their new country than the sadness of their motherland.[7]  

It seems that division and discord will characterize the commemoration of this year, the same division and discord that has befallen Egypt on October 9, 2011. Despite the tens of attacks against churches, Coptic property, and Copts in the past months, this failed to unite Copts, and the political factions at large, for this cause.  

[1] Lamīs Yahyá, What Happened in Mārīnāb Village? Arab-West Report, October 12, 2011, http://www.arabwestreport.info/
what-happened-marinab-village.

[2] Paul Sedra, “Martyrdom at Maspero: Searching for meaning,” Egypt Independent, October 9, 2012. Read original article in English.

[3] Author Not Mentioned, “Inkisām Al Harakāt al Qibtīyah Hawl Ihyaā’ Zikrá Mazbahah Maspero,” Maktoob News, October 7, 2013. Read original text in Arabic.

[4] Na’īm Yūsuf, “Ihyā’ Zikrá Shuhadā’ Maspero Fil Muqattam wal Itihād Yutalib Bil Qasās,” Copts United, October 7, 2013. Read original text in Arabic.

[5] Alī Ragab, “I’tilāf Aqbāt Masr Yushārik Fi Ihyā’ mazbahit Maspero,” al-Dustūr, October 1, 2013.

[6] Muhammad Ridā, “Ihyā’ Zikrá Maspero Bimu’tamar Sahafī Al Yawm wa Waqfah BilShimū’ Al Arba’ā’,” Al Yūm Al Sābi’, October 8, 2013. Read original text in Arabic.

[7]  E-mail correspondence of Maged with Cornelis Hulsman, October 8, 2013. He later expanded this for his blog “Salamamoussa,” in “Maspero- One Year After,” October 8, 2013.  Read the original blog post online in English.