The three Coptic Churches have condemned Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s insult of the Grand Shaykh of al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayyīb. Pope Tawadros II denounced Erdoğan’s insult. In a telephone conversation with the Grand Shaykh of al-Azhar on Tuesday, Pope Tawadros II said: “We denounce insulting the Grand Shaykh, because he is a sincere national figure”. He stated that he “is a guardian of national security” ('Abd al-Wahāb Sha'bān, al-Wafd, Aug. 28, p. 3). This article has no link online.

Prime Minister, Dr. Hāzim Biblāwī, also denounced Erdoğan’s remarks regarding the Azhar Grand Shaykh.  Biblāwī said that religious symbols like Shaykh Tayyīb should not be insulted. The Shaykh is of great value to Egypt and the Arab and Muslim world and he is the head of the largest Islamic institution in the world that seeks to spread a tolerant interpretation of Islam. He continued that the Shaykh was a voice of reason, wisdom, and moderation for Islam. The Coptic Orthodox Church has responded to Erdoğan’s remarks with a decisively-worded statement, defending al-Tayyīb and stressing that the Church stands behind him.

The movement Copts without Restrictions denounced the Turkish Prime Minister’s statements, too (Mansūr Kāmil and 'Immād Khalīl, al-Masry al-Yawm, Aug. 28, p. 5). Read original text in Arabic.

(Anton Bondarew, Intern)