Ahead of Egypt vote, most Christians put faith in Sisi

– Church ‘does not represent all’ –

After Morsi’s ouster, many of his supporters accused the Christian community of supporting the overthrow.

They pointed to Tawadros’s appearance next to Sisi in July 2013, when the then army chief announced Morsi’s removal on television, even though he was also surrounded by senior Muslim and opposition figures.

Following the deadly dispersal by security forces of two pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo in August 2013, dozens of Coptic churches, schools, homes and businesses were attacked.

Early last year, hundreds of Christians fled northern Sinai after IS killed several Christians and threatened more attacks.

But a lack of public surveys means it is difficult to precisely determine the level of Coptic support for Sisi, according to Nevine Mossaad, a political science professor at Cairo University specialising in minorities in the Arab world.

“It’s true that the majority of Copts are pro-Sisi, but some of them are against him,” he said.

“The Copts do not vote as one bloc.”

Coptic youths are particularly vocal in their opposition to the church’s connection to the regime.

“The Church does not represent all Christians,” said activist Bishoy Tamri, a member of the Maspero Youth Union, a Coptic human rights organisation born in the wake of the January 2011 protests that toppled longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak.

“We reject the church’s exploitation for political purposes,” said Tamri, adding that his organisation’s activities, “like many civil society movements”, had been curtailed because of a widening crackdown.

In Shubra, many of those critical of Sisi preferred to remain quiet, although some did voice concerns over rising prices.

“I hope that he (Sisi) will provide security for the simple and poor and will enable them to live decently,” said Angie Kirollos, a 21-year-old mother who plans on voting for Sisi.