‘Peacemakers Committee’ discuss citizenship, equality and justice during meeting at St. Mark's Cathedral

CAIRO – 24 May 2022: The Peacemakers Committee of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Islamic Research Academy in Al-Azhar, The Coordination's Committee of Parties' Youth Leaders and Politicians (CPYP), the National Council for Women, along with number young sheikhs and priests, organized, Tuesday a symposium under the title " Citizenship " at St. Mark's Cathedral in Abbasiya in Cairo, Tuesday.

 

The meeting began with a speech by Archbishop Raphael Tharwat, a member of the committee, during which he thanked all the attendees and valued their efforts and keenness to participate in such events that aim to consolidate the bonds of love and peace, and coexistence among the people of the same nation.

In his speech, Archpriest Raphael highlighted the idea of forming the “peacemakers committee” to be affiliated with the Coptic Orthodox Church, under the auspices and support of Pope Tawadros, and under the supervision Bishop Daniel, and headed by Bishop Julius, Bishop of Public and Social Services.

He added that the committee adopts its vision from the words of Jesus Christ: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9, NIV)

 

During the symposium, Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy, Nazeer Ayyad, conveyed Al-Azhar greetings to attendees. In his speech he praised the committee’s idea, and thanked CPYP.

He pointed out that this meeting of the committee came at the right time to coincide with the efforts of the state in this context and the principles that the government seeks to consolidate along with raising awareness of the correct concept of ‘citizenship.’

The Secretary-General of the Islamic Research Academy stressed that: “The mistake is not in any religious texts of, but in the selective readings of these texts, and that the basic principles of citizenship must be emphasized, including cooperation, participation, integration and human fraternity, and that difference does not prevent mutual respect."

 

In his speech, Bishop Daniel conveyed the greetings of Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark for all attendees and praised the idea of forming a committee for "peacemakers".

He stressed this meeting is just the beginning of several following meetings and studies and an attempt to deepen the relationship between the people of the whole country.

The attendees discussed several issues during their meeting including the pivotal role of the Egyptian state in combating terrorism and spreading a culture of equality, justice and citizenship, along with the presidential initiatives and the national dialogue called for by President Abdel Fattah al Sisi.