Egyptian people oppose religious persecution
Egypt, Politics, 2/7/2000

President Mubarak's Political Advisor Osama El-Baz said that Egypt rejects religious hatred and will not allow it.

Baz described as "individual" some events that might occur, adding that Egypt would not allow any interference in its internal affairs.

Addressing a meeting of human development committee of the Shura Council focusing on role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in voluntary action on Saturday evening, Baz said the state encourages many NGOs, because they have positive influence on the society.

"But these organizations should be national rather than a Trojan horse or a facade for activities of foreign organizations," warned Baz.

According to Baz, NGOs operating in different social domains are part of the Egyptian long-established traditions, citing Cairo University, the first university in Egypt's modern history, as an example of institutions set up via voluntary contributions.

"This tradition has been weakened during the socialist era when the government was responsible for all activities," he said, remarking that they can be rejuvenated once again.

Baz cited as an example a US Human Rights Organization implementing 90 per cent of its activities abroad while ignoring rights of minorities within the US itself.

"This organization takes certain events as a pretext to interfere in other countries' internal affairs," Baz said.

Baz also cited some religious-oriented NGOs including one in the US which has adopted religious hatred and pressed for a bill by the US Congress against states allegedly perpetrating persecution against Christians and denying missionaries access to the country or construction of churches.

According to Baz, this organization has prepared a list of 16 states allegedly practicing such acts.

"We intervened with the US Administration to unveil the false allegations of such an organization," Baz said.

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