The Coptic American Law Enforcement Orgnaization held the first ever Coptic Heritage celebration at NYPD headquarters on Tuesday June 03, 2025.
The event introduced June as Coptic Heritage Month, celebrated the entry of the Holy Family into Egypt and at the same time highlighted the rich Egyptian heritage and civilization.
Both of the American and Egyptian flags were raised and the national anthems of the USA and of Egypt were sung inside of the walls of one Police Plaza at a historic event.
Counsel Amr Koraiem, from the Egyptian Counsel General of Egypt in New York graciously joined the Egyptian community in its celebration. NYPD Chief of Housing Charles Mcevoy, provided the opening remarks, Deputy Chief Chaplain George Anastasiou gave the opening prayer and Hegumen Father Mina Yanni gave the closing prayer. Remarks were made by Lt. Mariana Zakhary and Key note speaker Hegumen Dr. Fr. Mina Shaheid and certificates of achievement were presented to the Scholarship recipients by New York Senator Steven Chan, who took the time to join the Coptic community in their celebration.
In attendance was President of the Police Benevolent Association, Patrick Hendry and Manhattan North Trustees Kevin Murphy and Joseph Strong. Also, Assistant Chief Chaplain Robert Romano, and Inspector Chaplain Tahir Kukaj joined the celebration.
Five winners were awarded Scholarships. Judy Shehata, Yostina Ayoub, Merna Estfanous, Gabriella Zakhary and Karen Yacoub. The awards were offered to high school seniors, who demonstrated high academic achievements, leadership skills, a dedication to community service and an appreciation of their identity as Coptic Americans and Egyptians.
Inaugural scholarship winner Verena Faheem, gave a word congratulating and encouraging this year’s scholarship recipients, in a beautiful gesture.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Hegumen Father Mina k. Yanni, in profound recognition of his visionary leadership, exceptional role and unwavering commitment to service and to the Coptic community in the USA. Over 60 years ago, he came to America with a vision to establish a spiritual home for Copts in America yet his love for his motherland Egypt has always been evident through the successful yearly Egyptian Festival he has established in Brooklyn many years ago as part of the St George Church activities.
The event was well attended by NYPD executives, community leaders, members of the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies and prominent Coptic clergy such as Reverend Doctor Father Mina Shaheid and Deacon Boles Makak, who sang the Coptic Hymn Eporo, which originated in ancient Egypt to welcome the Pharaohs. This hymn was later adopted modified and preserved by the Coptic church. The American national anthem was performed by Police Officer Trinity Burgos, the Egyptian national anthem was performed by Mrs. Neama Isaac, who also performed the song Hallelujah and an Egyptian national song. The event was video recorded by Eng. Bahaa Emil of Maxanto Film.
The event was organized by Lieutenant Mariana Zakhary, Founder and President of the Coptic American Lae Enforcement Orgnaization (CopticLEO) and by its dedicated Executive Board, Vice President, Sergeant Michael Said, 2nd Vice President, ret. Executive Director Nabil Hanna, Secretary, Sergeant Viviane Perrone and Treasurer, Auxiliary Sergeant Sameh Eskaroas along with the committed members of the Coptic American Law Enforcement Organization who were instrumental to the success of this event.
