EGYPT: MGR. TEWFIK (COPTIC CATHOLIC), “AN ANTI-CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE” IS ON THE RISE

“The Muslim influence of such countries as Saudi Arabia and Iran are resulting in an increasing Islamisation of the Egyptian society, starting from teaching, to develop an anti-Christian attitude”. This was stated to SIR by the Coptic bishop of Ismayliah, mgr. Makarios Tewfik, during a meeting at Cairo with the delegation of the Agora of the Youth of the Mediterranean, who is in Egypt these days to visit the local Christian communities. “Our young people – said the prelate – are often forced to migrate because they have no chance of a career just because they are Christians. Just think that even in Parliament there are just 4 Christian members, nominated by the president, while they are about ten at Senate. This is just a representation because there are no Christians running for election; many do not even have a ballot card. Despite this, we are popular because of the organisation of our schools and our social work”. “Our young people grow in the parish churches as their only venues – added mgr. Tewfik, who is also director of the Egyptian Youth Pastoral service – just because it is difficult for them to find a space in society in which they can express themselves”. According to mgr. Tewfik, Egyptian Christians are approximately 12 million, with only 1 million being Coptic Catholics, the others Coptic Orthodox.

© SIR - 4 marzo 2010