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“Behind the Fence”
is a popular TV show in Cairo that interviews criminals of unusual crimes
and their victims broadcasting live, every Saturday night. In 2004 it
broadcast the following story:
The father of a Muslim Egyptian family died. Shortly
afterwards the mother died too, leaving behind a preschool girl and her 3
month old brother. Their closest family member was an uncle who became their
custodian and took them into his home. Not accustomed to these children’s
needs and demands, he rapidly became intolerant to his new responsibilities.
So, he heavily doped them with a sedative until they appeared like dead
corpses. He then convinced those around that the two children had died, and
arranged to bury them with their mother.
A few weeks later, another family member died. (According to
Egyptian custom, the dead bodies of each family are buried together in
family graveyards. These are small huts with low-lying roofs where several
bodies are laid side by side) At the time of burial of this new family
member, the family graveyard was opened to find the two children sitting
inside playing with each other. They were immediately taken out and placed
into the custody of the police, who started investigating the case.
The older child was then interviewed live on “Behind
the Fence,” Saturday, April 10, 2004 at 11 PM, which coincided with
the Copts’ Easter Eve. Most of the Copts were in their churches celebrating
the liturgy of their Resurrection Feast. The following conversation took
place in front of millions of Muslim spectators:
TV show-host:
“So, how did it feel during these two weeks, inside the
grave?”
Child:
“It felt OK!”
TV show-host:
“Really! Wasn't it dark? And from where did you get food?
How did you eat?”
Child:
“O! There was this handsome looking man whose face was so shining, it was
not dark at all. He brought my food three times a day.”
TV show-host:
“And how about your brother?”
Child:
“The same man used to wake my mother up, to have her nurse him every three
hours, then she would go to sleep again, over in the corner.”
TV show-host:
“Could you describe this man for us?”
Child:
“Well, he was really nice; and he had these wounds in his hands and feet.
There was a hole in his hand where I used to put my finger in and play.”
TV show-host
(exclaiming):
“This must be Eissa Ibn Mariam! (i.e. Jesus Son of
Mary)”
At this point the show broadcast was suddenly interrupted,
and no further comments about the story were aired since then. |
