CAIRO - Radical Muslim and Coptic clergymen at home and overseas have been strongly condemned by the public and officials for their alleged role in fomenting deadly sectarianism in Egypt. These accusations come in the light of the tragic sectarian incidents Egypt has witnessed over the past four months. Two churches were torched in the two cities of Helwan and Giza, and about 15 people were killed, when die-hard Muslim fundamentalists clashed with Copts. Romance was to blame for these street battles, in which both sides used guns, petrol bombs, iron bars and long knives. The angry crowds on both sides were said to have been incited long before the battles broke out by their radical sheikhs and bishops. According to a preliminary investigation made independently by a fact-finding committee and the local press, mosques controlled by Salafists (Muslim hardliners, who stick irreconcilably to anachronistic and outdated teachings) tainted the image of Copts by portraying them as infidels, who conspired against Muslims in Egypt. Speaking from their hospital beds, eyewitnesses said that radical preachers in these mosques warned them that the Copts were filled with hatred for Muslims and there would be no peace in Egypt as long as these people were around. Retaliating, wealthy Copts poured huge sums of money into private religious channels manned by radical bishops. The chaotic religious discourse has almost deadened the wise voices in both camps. Meanwhile, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar has been desperately trying to reinforce the authority of Al Azhar, the highest Muslim institution in the country. Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayyeb, who was appointed Grand Imam shortly before the eruption of the revolution which ousted Hosni Mubarak, has planned a series of meetings with prominent Salafists and senior church officials. Apparently determined to save Al-Azhar from disgraceful, long-standing accusations about its religious role, the Grand Imam has confirmed that Al-Azhar will not tolerate attempts by anyone to hijack its role. The Grand Imam's efforts to put out the fires have been met with the support of André Zaki, an Anglican bishop. The head of the Anglican community in Egypt has launched a scathing attack on radicals and zealots for their stubborn refusal to listen to other people. “It is unfortunate that zealots listen to themselves alone, as they believe that they possess the absolute truth,” Zaki says, adding that their outrageous attitude fuels sectarianism in Egyptian society. Holding the Salafists fully accountable for the tragic incidents in the past few months, the Anglican bishop told a local weekly magazine that the tragic battle in Imbaba between Muslims and Copts had been planned by Salafists. He said that Salafists stubbornly rejected peacemaking proposals, made by Copts and Muslims in the area. Salafists were also strongly condemned by a notable clergyman from Al-Azhar. Sheikh Farahat el-Mongi says that the Salafists had been restricted since the early 1980s before rearing their ugly heads after the outbreak of the revolution. The big names in the Salafist community were either put behind bars or under house arrest.
