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The following are the prepared remarks of AWR Chief Editor Cornelis Hulsman to a gathering of political and religious leaders at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium
May 9, 2012
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AWR) – I was asked to present you with the greetings from Coptic Orthodox Priest Father Yu’annis and Salafī Shaykh Hamdī ‘Abd al-Fatāh from the village of Qufādah in al-Minya governorate. I traveled there a few days ago with a German journalist and a Danish student to speak about Muslim-Christian relations and Christian migration from the area. When Father Yu’annis heard that I would give this presentation for you, he informed his entire congregation about this on Sunday April 29, praying that the voice of Qufādah would be heard.
Qufādah is a small village with a few thousand inhabitants, around 15 percent Christian and 85 percent Muslim. The village head is, however, Christian. Father Yu’annis has been campaigning for Salafī Shaykh Hamdī ‘Abd al-Fatāh, a member of the Salafī al-Nūr party, during the last elections. If you choose to inform yourself only through the media or activist groups that claim that Christians in Egypt are persecuted, you would not even know that such relationships exist. The reality is, however, much more complicated than we are led to believe.
There is violence in Egypt—more against Christians than against Muslims. The police are largely absent, laws are often not applied and both Muslims and Christians do as they like. The situation for Christians is difficult—not just for Christians, but for most Egyptians. The Revolution—others call it a revolt, against President Mubārak has led to a tremendous economic decline, affecting millions.
It has also paralyzed the state. The rule of law was already weak before the Revolution and has worsened after the Revolution. Christians feel this, as do Muslims. Christians in Egypt are scared and many would leave if they could. I do not blame them, but if they continue on this course it will be disastrous for the Christian community, which will gradually disappear.
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