EGYPT: Christians say they fear a rise in religious intolerance if the Muslim Brotherhood candidate wins the presidency

Record ID: 327803

  • Title: EGYPT: Christians say they fear a rise in religious intolerance if the Muslim Brotherhood candidate wins the presidency
  • Date: 18th June 2012
  • Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (JUNE 17, 2012) (REUTERS) CHURCH BUILDING READING: 'THE CHURCH OF THE VIRGIN MARY' ZOOM OUT TO SHOW CHURCH ENTRANCE CHURCH DOOR VARIOUS OF MASS TAKING PLACE EGYPTIAN CHRISTIAN WORSHIPPERS LEAVING CHURCH (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN CHRISTIAN, KHAIRY ZAKI, SAYING: "Far from your political or religious affiliation, you should choose who you think will be the best for Egypt and who can save us from the disastrous situation we are in." WORSHIPPERS LEAVING CHURCH
  • Embargoed: 3rd July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: Politics,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVAERDFOC0X12M2HJM2LS17WDUPP
  • Story Text: Egypt's Coptic Christians complained of discrimination under Hosni Mubarak but fear it may get worse if an Islamist takes his place in this week's presidential run-off.
    In a 15-point manifesto issued last week, the Muslim Brotherhood contender for the presidency, Mohamed Morsy, promised to form an inclusive administration to defend the rights of women and minorities. But Egypt's eight million or so Christians remain mistrustful.
    They worry that an Islamist head of state would make life more uncomfortable for Copts, who blame ultra-orthodox Salafi Muslims for a surge of attacks on churches since Mubarak's overthrow in a popular uprising 16 months ago.
    In one such incident, in May 2011, 12 people were killed and 52 were wounded in two days of sectarian clashes in the Cairo suburb of Imbaba after rumours that Christians were holding a woman who had converted to Islam. St. Mary's Church was badly damaged by fire in the incident.
    The church has since been rebuilt, but worshippers remain nervous about what the future will bring.
    "Far from your political or religious affiliation, you should choose who you think will be the best for Egypt and who can save us from the disastrous situation we are in," said Khairy Zaki.
    Egyptians were electing a president freely for the first time on Sunday (June 17), making a daunting choice between a former general of the old guard and an Islamist who says he is running for God.
    The contest pits Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister Ahmed Shafik against Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood, the veteran Islamist movement.
    Egypt's 10-percent Christian minority has come out strongly for Shafik, fearing religious oppression in an Islamist state.
    "He will not turn it into a religious state, he will keep it secular. Shafik will be interested in improving the economic situation and he will take care of the tourism sector, which I work in," said Marcus Jacob.
    Coptic priest Tarabamon Abdomother said there was anxiety within the community about the mixing of religion and State.
    "The idea of Islam having the State and nation, where do we draw the line? This is something one should know about and understand and agree on. How would you unite the two, religion and state?" he said.
    The Muslim Brotherhood emerged from decades of repression under Mubarak and previous military leaders to sweep the parliamentary vote last November.
    But some voters have accused them of trying to monopolise the political scene and of achieving little.
    The Coptic Church also recently announced it was withdrawing from talks on a new constitution, saying Islamist domination of the drafting body made its participation "pointless".
    "They (the Muslim Brotherhood) have fooled the revolution. They took over 80% of the parliament and it has been a year and a half since they have been trying to put together a constitution. We have been debating and arguing, but they want to impose their way of doing things on everyone. But this is supposed to be a constitution for all people from all backgrounds, Christians, Copts, Shia and Muslims because this is a nation," said Imad Yousef Yousef after casting his vote in Cairo.
    With no opinion polls, it was impossible to forecast who would emerge the winner by Monday - and whoever it is may face anger and accusations of foul play. Both men have wide support but many voters may be staying away, unhappy at a choice of extremes after centrist candidates were knocked out in a first round last month.
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