Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, a general-turned-president, has made sectarian harmony a cornerstone of his rule, fighting Islamic militancy while advocating equality between the overwhelming Muslim majority and Christians, who account for ten per cent of Egypt’s 100 million people.
“This is a historic and important moment,” said Mr el-Sissi inside the cathedral.
“But we still have to protect the tree of love we planted here together today because seditions never end.”
The Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, the world’s primary seat of learning for Sunni Muslims, echoed Mr el-Sissi’s sentiments in comments also made at the cathedral.
Excited to see our friends in Egypt opening the biggest Cathedral in the Middle East. President El-Sisi is moving his country to a more inclusive future!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2019
The two places of worship, he said, stand as a symbol in the face of “attempts to undermine the country’s stability and sectarian seditions.”
Mr el-Sissi’s widely publicised policy to staunch sectarianism, however, has done little to protect Christians in rural Egypt, where Muslim extremists frequently attack their homes and businesses or force them to leave their homes after violent disputes.
السيد الرئيس/ عبد الفتاح السيسي يفتتح مسجد الفتاح العليم وكاتدرائية ميلاد المسيح…
… Read More
—
Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.