Pope Shenouda lashes out at Jewish extremists threats to Aqsa Mosque
Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/15/2005

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark Diocese criticized threats by Jewish extremists to attack Al Aqsa Mosque, saying that they represented a clear setback to the latest Middle East peace efforts.

In his capacity as the Chairman of the Middle East Council of Churches, Pope Shenouda said that he signed a harshly-worded message denouncing the attacks on Al Aqsa, a religious symbol of the city of Jerusalem that is revered by Christians and Muslims alike.

The Pope was speaking Monday night at a meeting at the Cairo Lions Club.

He denied that he had any plans to retract an earlier decision banning Copts from visiting Jerusalem as long as it remained under occupation.

Despite the latest positive development in the peace process, Israel has neither ceased its aggressions on Palestinians nor honored their promises, he said. He said that he will only visit Jerusalem with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar and after a just and comprehensive peace is realized.

The Coptic Church cannot follow a separate policy from Arab countries, he added.

On the role of the Coptic Church at the upcoming legislative and presidential elections, Pope Shenouda said that the Church is not a political entity, and does not ally itself with anyone.

The Church tells the people: everyone chooses according to his own will, "we live in a democratic climate and everyone chooses what he likes," he added.

On reports on the nomination of a Copt as the country's President, the Pope said that it was only natural for the President to belong to the faith which the majority of the people in his country follow.

On the media's excessive usage of the term sectarian strife, he said that it has been an alien expression to Egypt, Egypt is the land of tolerance, he added.

It is also wrong to regard Copts living abroad as a political group adopting the same opinion, most of them are moderates and small minority extremes, but when voices are heard, one only hears the voices of the minority, he added.

Asked on the Coptic demonstrations, he said protesting was a way of expression everywhere in the world, not only Copts and definitely, when problems are solved, people will not be resorting to demonstrations in the same magnitude.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptian concern over Israel practices   (4/13/2005)
  Al-Azhar Imam calls on international community to protect Aqsa Mosque   (4/11/2005)
  Palestinian dialogue tackled agreement on truce and political participation   (3/17/2005)

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