Catholic Culture Liturgical Living
Catholic Culture Liturgical Living
Catholic World News

Egypt’s al Sisi says Muslims, Christians should be seen as equal citizens

March 03, 2017

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al Sisi has said that Muslims and Christians should be identified not as a “majority” and “minority” in Arabic countries, but as equal citizens.

Al Sisi made his remarks as he spoke with two Catholic prelates—Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai and Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako—who were in Cairo for a conference on religious freedom sponsored by Al Azhar University.

The Egyptian president, who has been strongly critical of Islamic extremism, spoke of a need to “renew religious discourse” in the Middle East, in order to combat extremism.

 


For all current news, visit our News home page.


 
Further information:
Sound Off! CatholicCulture.org supporters weigh in.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

  • Posted by: R. Spanier (Catholic Canadian) - Mar. 06, 2017 12:41 AM ET USA

    May God bless Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's effort to make Muslims and Christians equal citizens of Arabic countries. And may God grant the President the grace to help those Muslims who want the freedom to leave Islam. In Egypt 63.6% of Muslims support the Shari'ah death penalty for apostasy (according to Wikipedia). Islam's prophet Muhammad said, "If a Muslim discards his religion, kill him." (Sahih al-Bukhari, 4:52:260)