In attempts to ease tensions, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi stressed in a meeting with Coptic Christian Pope Tawadros II that all Egyptians are equal under the Egyptian constitution. The meeting, which was held after multiple incidents of sectarian violence in Egypt, saw the President stressing the importance of unity despite such attacks. President Sisi praised the spirit and role Coptic Christians have displayed in Egypt since the January 25 revolution. The President continued that recent incidents should not damage relations between different Egyptian communities and that unity is paramount. Meanwhile, the Coptic Pope stressed the importance of standing together for the future of the country, but stressed that Copts should be allowed to practice their religion freely and without fear. During the meeting, the President said that initiatives such as the Family House are positive steps that eliminate extremist ideas and promote unity. Family House is an initiative between the Coptic Orthodox Church and Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam’s top authority, that sees scholars and clerics from both faiths working together on various projects for the community. Earlier this month, 15 people were arrested for setting fire to Coptic Christian homes in…
Egypt’s President Sisi Tells Coptic Pope: All Egyptians Are Equal
July 29, 2016
