CAIRO - Just one year ago, the Egyptian nation was sinking into the depths of sadness and was fearful of facing sectarian sedition, in the aftermath to the cowardly terrorist attack on Al-Qidissin Church (Two Saints), Alexandria. The bloody incident claimed some 24 lives and turned Egypt's joy at the New Year into bitter sadness. The terrible bombing, which some agencies, including British intelligence, have alleged was planned by the Mubarak's Ministry of the Interior and the security agency for "discipline the Copts", was enough to tear apart the Egyptian nation as it targeted the Christian citizens while they were attending their New Year service. Fortunately, the conspiracy to divide the nation did not work, because of the January 25 revolution that crystallised the idealistic image of unity of the Egyptian citizens. Muslims and Christians were both targeted by the security forces during the first days of the revolution and spent the long days and nights in January and February protesting in Tahrir and many other Egyptian squares with the single demand of toppling Mubarak's regime. At the time, the nation realised that their strength lies in unity and that they share the same troubles without discrimination, and the way to solve them should be built on the rights of citizenship in a democratic civil state. However, the ugly face of extremists started to show in society with the emergence of the Salafi group and members of the Islamic Movement, with their leaders being released from their long imprisonment to call for creating an Islamic state enforcing firm rules of the Islamic Sharia (religious law). Before, taking any steps to rebuild the State, they started their confrontations with the Christian citizens as well as the moderate Muslims, who seek the creation of a civil state respecting the plurality of society and treating citizens according to their deeds and not their religious background. Although their confrontation with the Christians was in form of violent acts such as cutting off the ear of a Christian citizen they had accused of running a prostition business and then by demolishing a church in Atfih village in Helwan, these criminal actions went unpunished by the authorities. Apparently this passivity encouraged those extremists go further and proclaim their extremist thoughts that have shocked the entire society, especially when these fanatics are addressing Christians as infidels. The real tragedy, however, lay in allowing those extremists to create political parties through which they joined the parliamentary elections, gaining around 25 per cent of the seats in the first two rounds of the process. Even before the conclusion of the elections, the Salafists started clarifying their plans for Egypt's future, such as creating a Parliamentary Republic not a presidential one, which would offer them more influence and power in the rule of the country. They have also spoken of amending the constitutional article reading: ‘That the principles of the Islamic Sharia are the main source of legislation” and replacing modern legislation with the old rules of Islamic Law as enforced during early days of Islam without change. Fully ignoring the Al-Azhar institution (the highest seat of Sunni Islam learning) and Darul Eftaa (the highest authority issuing fatwas [religious edicts], some Salafists started issuing inflammatory fatwas. A few days ahead of Christmas, a Salafi sheikh issued a terrible and truly outrageous fatwa that Muslims should not congratulate non-Muslims on the occasion of the latter's feasts! Therefore, Darul Eftaa hastily issued a counter fatwa affirming that Muslims were allowed to congratulate non-Muslims in their feasts. The authority even considered this as an expression of friendship in agreement with Islamic teachings towards the non-Muslims. "Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: For Allah loveth those who are just." (Surat Al Mumtahana, verse 8). Darul Eftaa even referred to the duty of exchanging gifts with non-Muslim friends, colleagues and neighbours on such occasions. The question is how could anyone today dictate Egyptian Muslims about the way they should deal with their Christian brothers and sisters after they have lived more than 14 centuries together in peace. What do they seek from such wicked opinions that they are giving as if they were a religious rule, while the Holy Qur'an includes innumerable verses urging Muslims to be kind to non-Muslims, not to mention the People of the Book, if not at war with them? Have they not ever read the Prophet Mohamed's Hadith (sayings) urging his companions to be good to the people of Egypt as being connected to him and his grandfather Prophet Ishmail by relationship. When making this prediction and recommendation, the Great Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) knew that the Egyptian people were Christians. However, he did not make it a condition that they should be treated well only if they converted to Islam. The least the Muslims could do in expression of this kind relationship is to congratulate their Christian brothers and sisters on their feasts, especially Christmas that marks the miraculous birth of Jesus (PBUH) from Virgin Mary to whom the Muslims show full respect and love. I would not be exaggerating to say that it is a duty for every Muslim to socially share with their Christian neighbours and friends in their celebrations of Christmas. Herein one should remember that when Prophet Mohamed came to Medina he found the Jews fasting on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Moharam. When he asked about the reason for this he was told that it is the day that Allah saved the Prophet Moses (PBUH) from the Pharaoh. He answered, "If there is one to celebrate that day it should be me". So he started fasting for Ashoura and ordered the Muslims to do the same every year. Therefore, the least a Muslim who believes in the Divine Books and all the Prophets and Messengers of Allah on Christmas Day is to congratulate all Christians and wish them a happy new year. It is a social and religious duty Muslims should have towards our Christian brothers and sisters. It is unacceptable for anyone even if they gained all the seats of the parliament to instruct people not to congratulate Christians on their feasts nor to address them as infidels. The Holy Qur'an clearly distinguishes between the Christians and Jews on one hand and the infidels on the other, not only by referring to them as People of the Book but also by allowing Muslim men to marry Christian and Jewish women not female infidels. Moreover, the Holy Qur'an, the Prophet's Sunna (tradition) and Islamic history speak volumes of the good relations Muslims have enjoyed and should continue to enjoy with the followers of the Holy Books that this limited space cannot cover. However, what is important here is to question those who insist on triggering the anger of the Christian Egyptians at such a critical stage of the country's history: "What could be the result of these attempts to isolate and cast out an important faction of the nation instead of strengthening national unity while rebuilding the state of Egypt?" Fortunately, the majority of Egyptians reject such extremist ideas and will continue to preserve their good relations with one another Merry Christmas to us all and In sha'Allah we will all have a very happy new year.
