Contact: Halim Meawad, Coptic Solidarity, 240-644-5153, Washington: 202-725-3091, magdi.khalil@hotmail.com

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2011 /Standard Newswire/ -- The second Annual Coptic Solidarity Conference will be held on Friday and Saturday July 8-9 under the main theme of "Will Religious and Ethnic Minorities Pay the Price of the 'Arab Spring.' The Christian Copts are the native ethnic religious community of Egypt, descendants from ancient Egyptians. They number around 15 millions, including a large Diaspora with more than half a million strong community of American Copts.

The Copts have experienced persecutions throughout their history and lately have been subject to acts of aggression and discrimination in Egypt at the hands of extremists and Jihadists. Since the revolt in Egypt brought down the previous authoritarian regime of Husni Mubarak, the Coptic community is facing an uncertain future. The Military Council is slow in implementing true democratic reforms and, even worse, they face the prospect of a Muslim Brotherhood dominated Government in the near future.

Coptic Solidarity International is an INGO seeking the support of the Coptic community in Egypt and the protection of its fundamental human rights. It raises awareness within the international community about the Coptic historical and current issues via educational and informational activities.

The second Coptic Solidarity Conference in Washington DC will include two days of working sessions. On Friday 8 the "COPTIC SOLIDARITY POLICY EDUCATIONAL DAY" will take place on Capitol Hill at the Capitol Visitors Center, CVC-200, Congressional Atrium. On Sat. 9, a conference on "COPTS AFTER JANUARY 25: WHAT NEXT?" will take place at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel (13869 Park Center Road, Herndon, Virginia, 20171).

Over twenty speakers, including political leaders (a number of Congressmen), human rights and legal specialists, academia and activists from the US, Canada, Europe and Egypt will attend or participate. Speakers for the event are:

• Professor Walid Phares, renowned expert on Middle East issues.
   
• Dr. Michael Ledeen, Senior Fellow, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
   
• Officials from the US Government.
   
• Professor Barry Rubin, Director & editor of MERIA.
   
• Dr. Piero Tozzi, Director, Intl. Religious Liberties, Allied Defense Fund.
   
• Dr. Joseph Grieboski, Chairman, The Institute on Religion & Public Policy.
   
• Ms. Tina Ramirez, Director Intl. Affairs, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberties.
   
• Mr. Jeff King, VP, International Christian Concern.
   
• Professor Essam Abdallah, Member of the 'Jan 25 Revolutionary Support Council.'
   
• Dr. Jordan Sekulow, Director of International Operations, the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ).
   
• Mr. Steven Emerson, executive director of The Investigative Project on Terrorism.
   
• Representatives of European NGOs and Middle Eastern religious minorities

Coptic leaders from North America, Europe and Egypt will speak on the conditions of the community in the Middle East and in the Diaspora.

The key objective of this two-day conference is to understand the implications of the current upheaval in the middle East and to offer present and future support to the Copts, and other minorities, as they go through this difficult period.

Meetings to take place from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Unless specifically invited, pre-registration is required for non-members (through CS website www.copticsolidarity.org).

For more information and media participation please contact: Halim Meawad, 240-644-5153, Washington: 202-725-3091, magdi.khalil@hotmail.com