Video: Christian man distributes Ramadan meals in Sohag, Egypt

CAIRO – 11 April 2022: A Christian man in Sohag, Upper Egypt, distributes small meals in Ramadan just before dusk to promote national unity.

Joseph Gerges has been distributing food in Ramadan for seven years. In the first few years, he distributed dates on streets as Maghreb prayer call approaches, making no difference between Muslim and Christian passersby.

He was met with appreciation and encouragement from donors and people who accept the food from him. In the following years, he began distributing meals, rather than just dates. He was able to donate 2 meals a day, the meals increased to 100 a day.

His main intention is to “instill love” in the hearts of everybody. He said “I send a message to all the malicious and inciters that Egypt is one country where you cannot differentiate between a Muslim and a Christian, and that Ramadan in Egypt is exceptional. The love and friendship between the Copts and the Muslims in Egypt can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

He also makes it clear that he is a Christian and that his message is about love and unity.

At the station from which he distributes the meals, he hangs a large banner that reads the Christian and Islamic quotes “Blessed be Egypt, my people,” and “Its people are bonded to Judgement Day.”

It also reads “I love you, Muslim. I love you, you kind-hearted. I’m here to tell you I hope you are blessed every year. Your Christian brother, Joseph Gerges.”