CAIRO: The American Embassy in Cairo has condemned the recent religious tensions in Egypt directed at the United States and minorities. They said in a statement on Tuesday that “the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions.” It came as a protest was scheduled to take place in front of the US embassy in the Egyptian capital over cultural sentiments that Muslim activists said betrayed their faith. “Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. “Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others,” added the embassy. The US has been at the center of a number of recent controversies in Egypt, especially following Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to the country, where liberal and leftist activists and political leaders said Washington was cozying up to the Muslim Brotherhood and new President Mohamed Morsi. Angry protesters threw tomatoes at Clinton's motorcade while she was in Cairo last summer.
