Christian-Muslim strife not religious in nature - Al-Azhar's Imam
March 9, 2013: Continuous attacks against Egypt's Christian minority, arrests of Christians
on alleged charges of desecrating the Qur'an and alleged conversions of Muslims have
raises once again the spectre of sectarian strife between Egyptian Christians and
Muslims. However, in a speech given at Al-Azhar's 'Family's House, Ahmed al-Tayeb,
grand imam of Al-Azhar University, said that sectarian strife in Egypt is caused by
political and social factors mistaken for religious issues. In his view, "Islam and
Christianity are both religions of love, peace and forgiveness that don't result in
the making of extremists".
Speaking at a session on Wednesday titled 'Together
for Egypt', Al-Tayeb urged religious leaders, including representatives of the Catholic,
Orthodox and Protestant Churches, to deal "wisely and flexibly" with extremists. He
also said that he spoke with Salafist leaders who told him that they would avoid any
causes of strife.
Yet, despite the grand imam's reassurances, Salafists continued
in proffering threats against the Christian minority on radio, television and the
internet.
Recently, Mahmoud Shu'ban, a professor at Al Azhar University known
for his radical views, made clear that the Copts, Egypt's Christian minority, should
pay the jizya, an Islamic poll tax.
According to the professor, it is logical
for Christians to pay jizya because they would buy protection for themselves against
persecution.
Following the fall of President Hosni Mubarak in 2010, scores
of Christians have been the victims of violence in dozens of incidents, mostly at
the hands of Salafists or ordinary Muslims roused by local clerics against their Christian
neighbours, often over land and money.
Since January of this year, Salafists
and Muslim radicals have attacked Christians in four different areas, burning churches
and homes.
In Bani Suef, a woman, her seven children and two other minors are
currently in prison for religious reasons following a court order. In Alexandria,
a Salafist group killed five people suspected of building a church.
The latest
incident occurred in Kom Ombo in Aswan province (Upper Egypt) over the alleged forced
conversion of a young Muslim woman. Stirred by local religious authorities, a group
of young Muslims attacked Coptic homes, setting some on fire, as well as a local church.