A poll conducted by the Egyptian Union of Human Rights Organizations, led by Coptic activist Naguib Gobrail, suggests that a majority of Copts support Amr Moussa for the presidency.
The sample consisted of 3000 Copts.
Moussa received 78 percent of votes in the poll, while Islamist candidate Abdel Moneim Abouel Fotouh got 22 percent, Gobrail said. The Muslim Brotherhood’s candidate, Khairat al-Shater, and Salafi-oriented candidate Hazem Salah Abou Ismail both got zero votes.
Gobrail said those polled were from nine governorates: Cairo, Alexandria, Minya, Assiut, Sohag, Luxor, Monufiya, Fayoum and Beni Suef.
He said the sample included women, young people, intellectuals, farmers, workers and businessmen.
“Copts genuinely have concerns about candidates with Islamist backgrounds, particularly since they make no secret of their extremist intentions towards Copts and reject the civilian state,” Gobrail said.
He added that no Islamist candidate has clear ideas for addressing Copts' problems. In fact, their problems are likely to worsen if an Islamist reaches the presidency, he said.
He said 100,000 Copts have emigrated since the 25 January revolution and the rate is expected to climb further if an Islamist is elected.
He also said that the Coptic Church withdrew from the constitution-writing committee because it will likely produce a non-civilian state.
Translated form AL-Masry Al-Youm
