By Salama A Salama It is no longer possible to tolerate the sectarian strife that is happening at a fast pace and short intervals. This augurs an explosion because of contradictions and accumulations that have remained without resolution. What complicates things further is on the one hand a political apathy that is unable to devise solutions and on the other a bigoted, non- compassionate and abhorrent religious behaviour on both sides. This has harmed relations between Muslims and Copts to an alarming degree. Such events no longer occur because of squabbling on the street or market or a dispute over building a church with or without licence. It is no longer induced by a love story between a Christian and a Muslim. What happened in Alexandria and the weeks before indicates that what is erupting is anger and a sense of injustice resulting from the lack of respect for the rights of citizenship. All doors leading to dialogue and conciliation have been closed. This applies to Muslims and Copts and finds release in sudden waves of anger which appear hard to explain. But in analysing the motives underlying sectarian conflict amongst the Arab peoples and in the Third World, it is clear that they are related to complex social and political problems that have remained unresolved. The situation cannot be explained by relegating it to religious and sectarian differences only. Failure to come to grips with the real causes for such conflict becomes most apparent when authorities blame them on religious factors. The fact is, they happen because of social and political factors. It is like the employee mistreated by his boss, who then vents out his anger by beating his wife and children. In the scenes relayed by satellite channels of the funeral of the Christian victim, the gangs of thugs holding sticks and swords were obvious. This evokes the parliamentary elections, and their recurrence in Alexandria implies that such gangs are not led by religious motivations but a herd instinct where frustration and anger find expression by being directed against another group. This serious situation induces me, along with others to ask the NDP and government to set aside, even if for one day, what is on their agenda and quickly form a committee to study the regretful events of Alexandria and all the years preceding it. They should invite rational individuals, both Muslims and Copts, to participate while steering clear of formal religious institutions. Solutions must be devised as well as legislation that will overcome issues in which Copts feel they are unfairly treated. It is no longer enough to condemn, condole, and deliver vacuous rhetoric about national unity. This can take place within the framework of the NDP but would be better in the context of a joint national non-partisan committee selected by President Hosni Mubarak. It would then present to him its recommendations in order that he would take the final decision. This would pull the carpet from under those who would exploit such events, whether from the outside or inside. The state's abstaining from dealing with the question of Copts and the chronic problems leading to bloody conflicts has exasperated things. It is easy to point fingers to foreign elements, conspiracies, mentally deranged persons, extremist "Islamist" groups or church concoctions. When everyone ignores the real causes the way is paved for precisely such elements to further ignite the problem. This is the civil side of the matter. A Muslim-Christian dialogue must also take place with the aim of reforming religious rhetoric on both sides and making it more progressive and refined, thus freeing it of antagonism and hatred. This would necessitate the reform of educational syllabuses and cleansing them of elements promoting fanaticism. A regular religious pulpit must also be devoted to Copts on television programmes. This would help relieve the animosity between the two sides in order to reach common ground and understanding. It has been shown beyond doubt that attributing all social, political, religious and cultural problems to security apparatuses has led to nothing but negative results. So when will political elites rise to their responsibility?
