Pope Shenouda lauds Mubarak Democracy
Egypt, Local, 2/28/2001

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria Monday lauded the climate of democracy and freedom in which the Egyptians witness under President Hosni Mubarak's leadership.

During his meeting with Lloyens Club members, Pope Shenouda stressed that entrenching the national unity is a collective responsibility.

He referred to the distinguished relations binding him with Grand Imam of AL Azhar Sheikh Mohammed Sayed Tantawi.

Asked about his stance as regards visiting Jerusalem, Shenouda renewed his rejection to visit Jerusalem while still under the Israeli occupation.

He stressed that he will only visit Jerusalem at the invitation of the Palestinian Authority and in the company of Sheikh Tantawi.

Any visit to Jerusalem at the time being will be considered a normalization with Israel, the Pope said, stressing that Israel will brainwash the visitors in order to gain sympathy for the Israeli stance.

Commenting on the election of Ariel Sharon as Israeli Prime Minister, Shenouda stressed that all the Jews have only one policy even if their ways to reach their goals varied.

"We will not be intimidated by any Israeli leadership. What we are really afraid of is Arab disintegration," Shenouda said.

"Arab has huge political and economic potentials. If they join hand in hand, Israel will not be able to overcome them," the Pope said, stressing that Israel is taking the advantage of Arab disintegration to impose its predominance in the region.

Previous Stories:
  Pope Shenouda visits Jerusalem only at Arafat's invitation   (2/8/2001)
  Muslims ,Christians live in harmony in Egypt   (12/19/2000)
  Al-Quds is an Arab city, we refuse its internationalization   (11/18/2000)

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