Reflections on Hani Sarofim's Murder

Predictably, my last post on Hani Sarofim's murder attracted many comments. There were some that I attempted to answer in the comment section but found that it would take so much space, besides they raised important points that I needed to respond to. So I preferred to post it in a separate post.

I'll start by addressing Mohammed's comment, because I feel it represents the views of many Muslims; particularly Egyptian Muslims, on the issue.

With all my respect to Hani,but he wasn't effective in his family to make the officer cares to force him.

I'm sorry mate, i don't understand what you mean by this. Can you please explain it?

If you had read the statement released by his familyyou would see the following:

"Hani was supposed to be on an official vacation of eight days, which would end on July 30th 2006. He also had two permissions for one other vacation, which would have finished on August 13th 2006"
"كان باجازتة الرسمية ثمانية ايام نهايتها فى 30-7-2006 وعمل تصريحين باجازة ثانية من 4-8-2006 حتى 13-8-2006 "

Now don't you think this is suspicious? What kind of officer gets a 8 day break, returns to service only to get another break within a week? Why was there a permission issued for his holiday...and not one but two???

His superiour officer was up to no good no matter what his motivation was.


he don't understand Islam,because Islam so clearly says that:"Let there be no compulsion in religion

As I said before, the presence of a certain law or teaching doesn't mean everyone will follow it.

No faith and no book in the history of all humanity have more teachings about love, forgiveness, sacrifice, tolerance and humility than Christianity and the Holy Bible...
Does this mean no Christian ever does wrong?
Does this mean we are all angels?

of course not!

The point is Mohammed, you, and undoubtedly many Muslims like your good self, are more concerned with the "image" of Islam than they are with the victims that fall in Islam's name on a daily basis everywhere around the world.

I am not a Muslim...I don't know where the problem is. Is it in Islam's teachings or in its followers interpretation?
That should be something all moderate and good Muslims get together and sort out.

I am however, a Copt...my mother is Egypt and my Father is Jesus Christ. I do care that my brothers and sisters are being persecuted and victimised every day. I do care about seeking and communicating with good people from whatever faith who can look to their conscience and try to understand...to correct whats going on, each in their own way.

*It wasn't appropriate at all to put this picture on this website..If it wasn't for feelings of lived people,so for Hani(If it was his body)

No? Would you say the same to the Arab media that continuously plaster images of injured, dead, bleeding and disfigured Palestinians and Iraqis (especially children)...at all hours exposing young children to these horriffic images on televisions, newspapers and magazines?????

At least I put a warning that the images are very disturbing...if people don't wish to view them...they didn't have to.

Finally, it is quite obvious you don't believe the events took place, and you are even doubting that this is his body.

That's fine...you have the right to your views. I assure you this is not a fabrication and that there are evidence to this effect. The truth will come out...but all in good time. For now, lets see what the investigation brings.

Xavier;

Thanks for your comment Xavier.

Of course the officer will just get a slap on the wrist and he'll be transferred to another command.

I'm afraid you're overly optimistic about this Xavier!!! I don't even think the officer will get 2 hours detention!!

Red,

did anyone realize that if the matter is "seriously" investigated that there would only be one outcome.... the "culprits" are insane

Again, see my comment to Xavier...even insanity is an optimistic outcome here. Remember...this is the millitary...not some schmuck wandering the streets wih a sword.

David

As always, you hit the nail on the head. Nothing but the word of God could even begin to provide comfort in a situation like this.

Marc

Long time no see...great to see you but not so great circumstances.

Everyone is involved whether they like it or not.

Unfortunately, you are correct. Most victims are those who realy have no vested interest...unfair but true.

Desmond

Excellent point. I second your call for prayer for the perpetrators. This is indeed what our faith is all about.

Eyewitness

Yes, I also hope its not true...but sadly I'm confident it is. Like I said, all in good time.

Last but not least...Pete and Cminor

Great to hear from you as always...it's an honour to have you along on this journey.

To the Anonymous commentors

Thank you all for commenting.

Please see my response to an earlier comment about why this is not more widely broadcast.

Everyone, please remember that this young man met a horrible end. No matter what your creed, race or belief...whether you believe the events or not...humanity says that we wish him eternal rest and wish his family comfort in their grief.

“My name is Sarofim…it’s an angel’s name”

Hani Sarofim is a handsome young Egyptian…from Upper Egypt…a real Egyptian.

I have never met him…
But he is my brother.

If you are Egyptian like us
If you grew up by her great Nile
If you love Egypt's sand and sun
If you smelled the Mediterranean at her Alexandria
Or gazed at the Pyramids at her Giza
Hani is your brother too.

It pains me to tell you; our brother Hani Sarofim was murdered.


Tortured in fact, then his body thrown into the Nile as a sacrifice.
A sacrifice to ignorance and hatred.

Hani Sarofim was just doing his duty to his country. Completing his mandatory service in the armed forces just like any young man his age. But out there in southern Aswan where he was stationed, his superior officer didn’t see that he was like any young man.

Hani is a Copt. He had tattoos of the crucifix and of the Virgin Mother on his arms.

Hani was subjected to humiliation and psychological torture as a result of his faith. He was repeatedly harassed by his superior officer in order to persuade him to convert to Islam.

His sister in law Nessma says that at one time Hani simply answered the officer
“But my name is Sarofim…it’s an angel’s name”
(Translated from a script of an interview with the family)

But his superior had other ideas;
When his leader asked him blatantly to reject Chrisitianity and convert to Islam, Hani refused and told him he would notify the military intelligence. The leader threatened him saying "Ok Hani, I will settle things with you!"
(see the full transcript at lanternix)

Shocking? Disgusting? Unbelievable?

Yes!
But a reality.
It is a reality that Hani’s precious blood mingled with the water of the great Nile as if to eternally bind him to his Egypt.
It is a reality that his only crime was that he is a proud Copt.
It is a reality that his brutal death will quite likely go unpunished
It is a reality that horrifying as his death is…it isn’t the first. Hani joins a host of similarly proud Copts who chose to bear their crosses to the death.

May the Lord rest your soul my dear brave brother.
+++

Photos of Hani’s body are here
Please note: the images are graphic and extremely disturbing.

August Issue of the Independant Copt

It was released on the first of August...but I've been too ill to blog :)

Check it out HERE

An Indictment of.....Ourselves????

By now pretty much everyone is aware of the planned attack on an American flight in Heathrow airport, and which was thankfully averted.

Last night on Lateline (an Australian news and current affairs show...the good kind) Tony Jones interviewed a terrorism expert, a Mr. Bill Durodie on the issue. The interview was fine, until the very last words spoken by Mr. Durodie....

"we would also have to ask ourselves what led them to do this. A point I often make in this kind of debates is that it's not so much what it is that attracts a few individuals to fringe radical organisations that we need to worry about, but rather what it is about our own society that it fails to attract quite often young, articulate, bright, energetic and ambitious individuals, that they feel so alienated from it that they look for something else to provide substance and meaning to their lives. Surely, that's an indictment of ourselves as well "

for the full transcript see here

Hmmm, I don't know Mr Durodie!! I just don't know if I share this view with you. I mean with all due respect to your good self, I fail to see what it is about the Western world that would push these people to commit such crimes.

The Western societies, are open, democratic, and tolerant to a large degree. They have received wave after wave of people migrating from their homelands to search for a better life. Provided those people with opportunity...some excelled, some got by, and yes some got nowhere. Above all, they were given a "fair go" like we say here in Australia...regardless of color, race, gender, or faith.

Why do I say this?

Because I'm one of those people. One of those who came here to search for a better life...and I do appreciate what I was given.

It baffles me that after this, someone can turn around and blame this hatred and bitterness on the very community that opened up a door for them.

I, for one, refuse to indicte myself for the diseased logic that would compell someone to harm hundreds of people...and why?
To make a point?
Because they're American?
Because they're going to America?

Come on!!! really!!!