Muslim, Christian unity

90 % of Egypt is Muslim. There are about 500,000 Catholics and the majority of Christians are Coptic Orthodox. The demand for political freedom is uniting people across the faiths. All share the same hopes for religious liberty and so seem to be standing in solidarity to that cause. A common slogan has been ‘Christians and Muslims, we are all Egyptians.’

This is D'Costa's inter-religious prayer in the face of crisis actually happening. We had very interesting debates in the classroom on Thursday but not one of us thought to mention the situation is Egypt which alarms me to the fact that so often academic theology can become theology in a vacuum if we are not careful. I have not quite thought through the implications of this or perhaps even whether my reaction is intelligent. Perhaps we had done the joined-up thinking but didn't follow through on it. Perhaps the classroom thinking prepares us to assess better what is happening in the world.

Whatever was decided in that classroom on Thursday and there were differences of opinion, Christians must combat islamophobia. There are Christian extremists and Muslim extremists and neither the Bible nor Quran supports such positions. The Quran categorically forbids religious compulsion (2:257), which has no Islamic justification. Muhammad also explains that, "You should listen to and obey your ruler..." and where dissent is necessary to defend religious freedom, it must be expressed legally and peacefully and not with violence. Islamic Jihad is actually about attaining nearness to God and does not call for treachery against non-Muslims: "... whosoever killed a person... it shall be as if he had killed all mankind" (5:33). The Quran also commands Muslims to indiscriminately protect all places of worship. Interestingly, the Quran holds that God's mercy offers salvation to Jews, Christians and those of other beliefs who believe in God and live good lives (2:63).

Want to know how to pray, read this:


Dear Friends,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

First, I would like to thank you so much for your prayers, phone calls, and messages from around the world that you have sent in the last few days. I want you to know that these meant a lot to me personally and to your brothers and sisters in the church here.

In the midst of the turmoil which Egypt is going through, we have felt that the Lord is very near to us. We have experienced his peace, and we were assured of his protection. In most of our churches and homes, there have been prayer meetings for the situation and for our beloved country Egypt. All our churches are safe,
although they have not been guarded by the security since Friday when all the security were withdrawn. This assured us that the one who protects the churches is the Lord of the Church.

I was touched to see young adults, Muslims and Christians, guarding the streets, homes, and our churches. They did not allow any thieves or looters to come near thearea. They also arrested some of those and handed them over to the Army. I applaud our local Egyptian clergy and people who joined the youth in the streets in guarding homes and churches.

I admired all our expatriate clergy and diocesan staff who refused to leave Egypt in order to stay in the midst of the people who decided not to go,even when their Embassies encouraged them to leave and provided airplanes to do so.

Yesterday demonstrations were very peaceful, in spite of the huge number that gathered in the middle of Cairo. We praise the Lord that we have now the internet backand we can communicate with you all.   This morning the security also returned to guard the churches as normal.

Yesterday, President Mubarak made it very clear that he will not seek re-election after he finishes his term in November 2011. He appointed Mr. Ibrahim Soliman as aVice-President. He has a good reputation among Egyptians. This appointment ruled out the possibility of appointing the President's son as a successor. President Mubarak also appointed a new Prime Minister, Mr. Shafik who was the Minister of CivilAviation (Egypt Air, etc?). He is a very good man and has done a lot of improvement in his previous Ministry. President Mubarak also called for a review for
the Constitution to allow democracy;he also assured the people that those who were
responsible for the violence, destructions,looting, escape of prisoners, etc? will be brought to judgment.

Our concern was that extremist groups would take advantage of the demonstrations to push for violence. We thank God that this did not happen. It seems that the majority of the youth who are demonstrating are aware of this possibility. Many of    them started to see this possible risk. The youth who were interviewed by the television yesterday mentioned that all what they need is democracy. Many groups this morning are demonstrating in support of President Mubarak, the new government, andpeaceful transfer of authority at the end of the Presidents term.

Egypt is a very important country in the whole of the Middle East, and whatever 

happens in Egypt affects the rest of the countries. I was amazed at how the President of Yemen, this morning, announced that he will not seek re-election and will not promote his son to be the next president.We pray that we can set a good example
to the surrounding countries.

We appreciate your prayers for:

Our churches and institutions, so that we can fix our eyes on God who is in 

control. May what is happening help us to draw nearer to God and to know that the time is short.
The end of demonstrations,especially in view of the changes that President Mubarak
announced. This will bring Egypt back to normal and the curfew will be ended.
The new government, in order to achieve the desired targets in serving the people,especially the Minister of Interior who is now trying to re-build the trust with the people of Egypt.
People to find their needs of food and health care.
Wisdom for the youth, in order not to allow the extremists to stir them up.
The families who lost their loved ones in the violence, and those who are injured.
Our beloved Egypt to recover this turmoil.

Once again, thank you so much for your prayers and words of encouragement.
May the Lord bless you!

Yours in Christ,

+Mouneer

The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis

Bishop of the Episcopal / Anglican Diocese of Egypt
with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
President Bishop of the Episcopal / Anglican
Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East