Sisi tells heads of Middle Eastern churches Egypt has strategy to spread freedom of belief

CAIRO – 17 May 2021: Egypt has a strategy of eliminating discrimination based on any thing while spreading a culture of diversity and freedom of belief, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi told heads of churches across the Middle East on Tuesday.

The General assembly of Middle Eastern Churches is being held in Egypt for the first time since its establishment in 1968. The president told attendees that Egypt’s strategy also combats fanaticism and extremism “without being tied to a specific time frame,” but the concepts are being applied in all aspects of life in Egypt.

Citizenship and equal rights are constants for the Egyptian state, Sisi said, adding that many antiquities and old churches in Egypt, which includes many historic manuscripts and icons, have been renovated. He also mentioned the project reviving the Holy Family’s trajectory in Egypt as part of attention paid to the Christian heritage of Egypt, according to a statement by the Egyptian presdiential spokesperson. 

Pope Tawadros II of Egypt also attended the meeting, which tackled cooperation between Egypt and the General assembly of Middle Eastern Churches in terms of dialogue, citizenship, and combating extremism in all countries of the region.

The heads of churches also expressed appreciation for Egypt’s role in the Middle East in settling complicated problems that cause serious humanitarian suffering. They also supported Egypt’s efforts towards development and construction in Egypt and the Middle East.