Especially in your contrast with the Mafia or Cammora in Italy and the United States. And I also agree that it appears Egypt is trying to be secular, they just seem to lack the political and legislative (in terms of their judicial employees) will to help the Copts within the country.

Since the beginning of the last century there has been a huge Christian exodus from the Middle-East, and it's sad especially considering that as you rightly pointed out, they often share common language and cultural connections with their Middle-Eastern homeland. I hope one day conditions improve to the point where Christians can once again return to those areas, and Christians there can live freely (or as freely as they would live elsewhere).

Sadly, I think that day is far off.