Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I join my Labor colleagues in condemning the targeting of Coptic Christians in an horrific attack last Friday in Egypt. Gunmen wearing fatigues and masks attacked three vehicles travelling in convoy and containing worshippers heading to the Monastery of St Samuel in the Minya governorate of South Cairo. The attack left 29 people dead—men, women and children—and is the latest deadly assault against minority Christians in the Middle East's most populous country. On Palm Sunday, two Cairo churches were bombed, leaving at least 45 people dead and over 100 injured. The senseless violence of this act is abhorrent. It is unacceptable and it must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. I express my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those affected by this horrific attack.

An attack on any place of religion is an attack on freedom of religion everywhere, and Labor expresses our support for the 100,000 Australians of Coptic faith. I am very fortunate to have a strong Coptic community centred around the parish of St George in Kensington, and my wholehearted condolences go to that community. I express my sympathies to them and Australia's Coptic community. I wish you strength, courage and faith to see you through these dark times.