Disgust At Church Bombing In Egypt
- January 2nd, 2011
- Posted by EUEditor
In shocked responses to the bombing of a Coptic church in Alexandria, Christian and Islamic leaders denounced it as sinful to both faiths.
More than 21 people died and over 80 more were injured on New Year’s Day when a bomb was detonated at the Coptic Christian church, at the close of a religious service, with hundreds in attendance.
Security officials said an organisation affiliated with the Al Qaeda  terrorist movement, which had been making threats against Christians, was under suspicion.
In Rome Pope Benedict XVI in a New Year homily delivered after the attack, condemned religious intolerance as a threat to world security, calling on governments to continue work to preserve religious freedom.
“In the face of the threatening tensions of the moment, especially in the face of discrimination, of abuse of power and religious intolerance that today particularly strikes Christians, I again direct a pressing invitation not to give in to dismay and resignation”, he said.
Islamic organisations shunned the attack and extended condolences to victims.
The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt said no religion in the world could condone such a crime.
Hamas in Palestine said it was extremely grieved at the loss of life, in an action it believed was designed to generate sectarian strife.
Violent attacks have been made on Christian Church services in the last year, in Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria and the Philippines.
Members of Egypt’s Christian community have been protesting in the streets, demanding better protection; the response of Christian minorities, from country country, has perforce been passive, and for which they might find scriptural backing (see Matthew 5:38-42).
Under threat, members of the Christian community in Iraq have been leaving the country in increasing numbers.
Reference
Ahram Online, Cairo, DPA, “Hamas denounces attack on Coptic church in Egyptâ€, http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/2978/Egypt/Politics-/Hamas-denounces-attack-on-Coptic-church-in-Egypt-.aspx, (2.1.10).
Associated Press, NY, “Pope denounces abuse of Christiansâ€, 1.1.10.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iC43tHwbnzSPr6O0E9YyKrlmaySg?docId=956292a395d5464db6a6e5938cb726b4, (2.1.10).
BBC News, London, “Egypt’s President calls for unit after church bombingâ€, 2.1.10. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12103248, (2.1.10).
Kristen Chick, “Egypt church bombing: Why some point to Al Qaeda-linked groupâ€, Christian Science Monitor, Boston, 1.1.11. http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/0101/Egypt-church-bombing-Why-some-point-to-Al-Qaeda-linked-group, (2.1.10).
Picture  Ahram