In video call with Sisi, German Chancellor voices EU support for Egypt’s moderate religious institutions

CAIRO - 2 November 2020: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a video call from German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday, discussing the possible ways of countering terrorism and extremist ideology, announced Egyptian presidency spokesperson Bassam Radi in a statement.

 

The call made in light of the recent outrage of Muslims regarding anti-Islam remarks in some European countries, including France, Radi added.

 

The German Chancellor expressed the European Union’s support to cooperate with Egypt’s ancient religious institutions as a beacon of moderate Islam in the world, Radi said.

 

He noted that Merkel praised President’s Sisi’s effective, objective and wise efforts in protecting religious freedoms and promoting peaceful coexistence between religions and civilizations.

 

During a speech to mark Prophet Muhammad's birthday celebrated every year by some Muslims in the Hijri month of Rabi’ Al-Awwal on October 30, 2020, Sisi denounced insulting prophets and messengers under the pretext of 'freedom of expression', demanding stopping all acts that hurt the feelings of a million and a half Muslims all over the world, and not to blame them for others actions. 

 

He said that “we [as Muslims] consider offending prophets and messengers is undermining high religious values that many people believe in. If you don’t believe then, this is your business, but hurting the feelings of Millions?!”

 

Sisi’s remarks come while French President Emmanuel Macron had said France would not renounce cartoons after a French teacher was killed for showing pupils cartoons distorting the image of Prophet Muhammad.

 

 Macron’s remarks have triggered Muslim nations’ anger. Also, campaigns to boycott French products have been circulated and encouraged on social media.

 

In his speech at the celebration, Al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb said that If Prophet Muhammad [Peace and Blessing be upon him] were not sent, all humanity would have remained in full darkness.”