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October 23, 2005
Multiculturalism - Egyptian-Style
On Saturday, in Alexandria, Egypt (from the New York Times):
Riot police forces armed with shotguns guarded a Coptic Christian church here on Saturday, a day after Muslim protesters tried to storm the building in a demonstration that was broken up when security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowd.
Three people were killed and many more injured in what officials called the worst case of sectarian violence to strike this Mediterranean city in recent memory. The streets remained tense Saturday, and many people warned that foreigners were not welcome. The mood in the city was sour and explosive.
(The Copts make up somewhat less than 10% of Egyptian society and, although officially tolerated, suffer significant discrimination.)
According to the Times:
On Friday, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in this city, apparently angry over a play that was performed two years ago in the church, and was recently distributed on video disc. Though few people interviewed Saturday said they actually saw the play or the DVD, the word on the street was it was anti-Islamic....
A shoemaker, who said his name was Muhammad Abdo, said ... "No one will stop until they give a formal apology," ... adding that he heard the play denied a central tenet of the Islamic faith - that Muhammad was God's prophet. [Emphasis added]
Not to belabor the obvious, but, if to Muslims anyone who denies that Muhammed was God's prophet is insulting Islam and deserves to be killed, it doesn't leave a lot of room for the rest of us, now does it?
On the Copts: I don't know much about Coptic Christianity, but I am inspired by the courage of the Copts, who, in spite of persecution have quite literally kept the faith for many centuries. I saw this in the Times article:
Many Christians tattoo a cross on the inside of the their children's wrist when they are born, a mark that permanently affirms their identity.
Perhaps we in the West have something to learn from the Copts.
Posted by John at October 23, 2005 06:51 PM
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