Ramsco's Women Empowerment Initiative Recognized Among Top BRICS Businesswomen Practices for 2025    Egypt, Elsewedy review progress on Ain Sokhna phosphate complex    Gold prices end July with modest gains    Pakistan says successfully concluded 'landmark trade deal' with US    Egypt's FM, US envoy discuss Gaza ceasefire, Iran nuclear talks    Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Federal Reserve maintains interest rates    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Rafah Crossing 'never been closed for one day' from Egypt: PM    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Egypt, Oman discuss environmental cooperation    Egypt's EDA explores pharma cooperation with Belarus    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Egypt rights watchdog launches campaign against sectarianism
Published in Almasry Alyoum on 10 - 10 - 2010

Amid a wave of Muslim-Christian tension in Egypt, a local rights watchdog has launched a campaign against sectarianism that aims to raise awareness about the hazards of religious intolerance and promote the values of shared citizenship.
Ramy Raoof, of the Cairo-based Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), said the "Anti-Sectarian Campaign in Egypt" comes at a critical juncture, when concepts such as citizenship and freedom of belief have been increasingly eroded.
"We've witnessed the absence of the language of citizenship among all the parties involved in the current state of sectarian unrest," Raoof told Al-Masry Al-Youm.
Last month, Bishop Bishoy, secretary of the Coptic Church's Holy Synod, angered Muslims when he publicly challenged the authenticity of certain verses of the Quran, the Muslim holy book. During Friday prayers, hundreds of Muslims protested in Alexandria calling for Bishoy--the second highest authority in the Coptic Church--to be tried in court for his comments.
The protest came two days after Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb and Coptic Pope Shenouda III had issued a joint statement in which they condemned attempts to ignite sectarian tension between Muslims and Christian.
The state's non-interference policy in efforts to ease sectarian friction, meanwhile, is for many activists an alarming sign.
"All sectarian events have a common feature, which is the absence of the government," said Raoof. “The state doesn't open any comprehensive investigations into acts related to sectarian aggression."
Sectarian tension has occasionally led to violent confrontations between Egypt's Muslim majority and Christian community. The latter is dominated by Coptic Christians, who represent an estimated six to ten percent of Egypt's population of 80 million.
Last January, on the eve of Coptic Christmas, six Copts were shot dead in one of the worst sectarian incidents in recent years. Three Muslims were later referred to a State Security Court for their alleged roles in the killings.
The campaign against sectarianism will consist of several activities, including the broadcast of advertisements and other media aimed at raising awareness about sectarian issues, according to a campaign press release.
The EIPR has also launched a YouTube channel, a Facebook page, a blog that publishes campaign news, and an interactive map of Egypt showing the location of recent incidents of sectarian unrest.


Clic here to read the story from its source.