Rise of Islamic political parties pushes Christians from Egypt

Ex-Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was ordered detained for 15 days on Wednesday -- a move that may help quell protests and quash suspicions that Egypt's ruling army generals had been shielding their former commander from investigation.

Meanwhile, the rise of Islamic parties and the continued enforcement of Sharia in the villages outside Cairo are frightening Christians.

“We’ve had a few cases of Salafis … imposing Sharia law on Christians, cutting the ear of one and the nose of another,” said Michael Meunier, President of the US Copts Association. “The sad part is the military council does not take action with these people.”

Meunier goes on to say that the military council did, however, recently arrested and jail Christian protesters. As a result, Christians have scheduled a demonstration in Cairo on April 15 against the unfair treatment between Christians and Muslims.

More and more Christians are attempting to emigrate to countries with greater religious freedom. According to the Egyptian Federation for Human Rights, more than 70 people a week are asking for information on how to leave the country.

“I’m telling people no,” Meunier told Vatican Radio. “It’s not the time for us to leave. This is our country and we should not let it go.”

Listen to Michael Meunier’s full interview with Kelsea Brennan-Wessels: