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Sunday, October 23, 2005
President Mubarak Saturday received a report from Interior Minister Habib El-Adli on the Alexandria incidents. The President said Muslims and Copts are of one and the same fabric; both, he said, are indispensable for Egypt's national unity. The President said this issue must be handled with great tolerance. Presidential Spokesman Suliman Awwad said El-Adli briefed the President on the development of the incidents and on the events leading to them. The spokesman said the President emphasized the significance of national unity among Egyptians. Meanwhile, a joint statement by Dr. Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar and Pope Shenouda III, the Pope of Alexandria has called on both Muslims and Copts to resort to reason. The statement said what took place in Alexandria saddened Egyptians from all walks of life. Dialogue, as pointed out by the statement, is the only means of tackling any misunderstanding between Muslims and Copts and that the final say in this issue will be that of the judiciary. Renewing his respect for Islam and for Muslims, Pope Shenouda III said some elements are seeking to foment sedition and undermine national unity in Egypt. The Pope denied reports that a church in the Moharram Bey District in Alexandria had insulted Islam by staging a play profaning the Holy Quran. The Pope accused some members of the press of seeking to plant the seeds of sedition in Egypt at a time when the country is enjoying peace and tranquility. On his part, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar said national unity among Muslims and Copts is deeply rooted and will not be disturbed by any such event as that which transpired in Alexandria. |
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