The Copts in their struggle for autonomy and the preservation of their culture and language can learn a lot from the Welsh nationalists. Reading about the history of Wales and its struggle for autonomy within the United Kingdom is illuminating.
The Welsh, who constitute a small national minority in the UK, amounting to less than 5% of the population (around 3 million inhabit Wales out of 65 million who is the total population of the UK), and mainly populating the country of Wales, are a different race from the English, as they belong to the Celts. The Celts settled in Wales in 600 BC, after arriving in Britain from the Continent. In their new home, however, they were not to be left in peace, as they were invaded by the successive waves of invasions of Britain that arrived from Europe, including the Romans, the Danes, and the English, but they fought bravely for their independence. The English, however, were able to subdue Wales at last in the thirteenth century and rule the Welsh, and seeing to it that Wales forgets its identity and culture. The Welsh Church was made subject to the English Church, and the Welsh language was suppressed and English was introduced with an effort to assimilate the Welsh people. The Welsh, however, proud of their language, fought all efforts at anglicisation. They realised that to keep their Welsh culture alive, they must possess political autonomy. The Welsh, therefore, starting from the nineteenth century agitated for Home Rule. This was expressed in different ways: some wanted complete independence from the UK while others asked for regional autonomy. And the methods they employed took different forms, but their activity was mainly non-violent and constitutional.
The Welsh struggle has now attained its goals by gaining full regional autonomy and the recognition of Welsh as an official language now, protected by law that promotes the language. Today, nearly 900,00 (around 28%) of Wales can speak Welsh, and Wales can be reassured that the Welsh language will not die.
But in this article, I would like to draw the attention of my fellow Copts to a story that shows how the Welsh were driven by the duty they saw in the need to continue their struggle in the face of opposition and against all the odds. Plaid Cymru, the Party of Wales, was formed in 1925 to carry the national struggle for autonomy and the saving of the Welsh language. One of its greatest leaders was Dr D. J. Davies, who joined Plaid Cymru shortly after its foundation and contribute enormously to its political programme. In 1924, Davies was studying in Denmark at the Vestbrik Folk High School. Davies at that stage saw the Welsh struggle for autonomy as hopeless case against so great foe as the English, who ruled the mighty British Empire. But the principal of the school, Gronvald Nielson convinced him that it was his duty to fight for his nation regardless of the chances of success. P. Perrestford Ellis in his Wales, A Nation Again! The Nationalist Struggle for Freedom tells us the story:
His [Davies] mind turned to Welsh nationalism when Gronvald Nielson, the principal of Vestbrik, told him: ‘Your country is ruled by England. Your duty, young man, is plain. You must go back [to Wales] and make her free.’
‘But we could never succeed,’ replied Davies. ‘England is so strong and we are so weak.’
‘The path of duty is plain,’ replied Nielson. ‘You must tread that path. That is the important thing for the human being – not whether you succeed or fail, but to do what is morally right.’
To do what is morally right is the most important duty. This is what we must believe in. The Muslims of Egypt are dominant in Egypt, demographically, politically and economically; they are so strong and we are so weak. However, a man who believes in his duty, does not decide on his actions based on whether he would succeed or fail – he leaves Providence to decide the outcome. He must tread the path of duty whatever what. This seems to me what the Copts must do – our duty is plain.