Sisi receives delegation of churches of Australia, New Zealand

CAIRO – 1 June 2017: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi received a delegation from the Council of Bishops and representatives of the Eastern Apostolic Churches of Australia and New Zealand Thursday, according to a presidential statement.

Bishop Antoine Tarabay, Maronite Bishop for Australia, gave the opening speech in which he expressed his condolences to the Egyptian people for the victims of last week’s terrorist attack in Minya.

The visit, Tarabay said, aims primarily to express solidarity with Egypt and its people in confronting terrorism.

Sisi expressed Egypt’s keenness to establish friendly relations with religious and spiritual leaders around the world, referring to the Egyptians’ appreciation of Pope Francis’ visit.

Sisi further praised Egyptians’ courage and their capacity to “bear the burdens of terrorism,” despite the economic challenges facing the country. He added that Egypt is keen on guaranteeing full equality among all citizens without discrimination.

The meeting tackled the means to strengthen international efforts in order to spread the values of tolerance, coexistence, acceptance of others and the establishment of peace.

Members of the delegation expressed their appreciation for Egypt's role in presenting a model of peaceful coexistence and its call for tolerance and cohabitation among religions, presidential spokesman Alaa Youssef stated. They also praised Egypt’s efforts to confront radical ideologies.