“The Muslim influence of such countries as Saudi Arabia and Iran are resulting in an increasing Islamisation of the Egyptian society, starting from teaching, to develop an anti-Christian attitude”. This was stated to SIR by the Coptic bishop of Ismayliah, mgr. Makarios Tewfik, during a meeting at Cairo with the delegation of the Agora of the Youth of the Mediterranean, who is in Egypt these days to visit the local Christian communities. “Our young people – said the prelate – are often forced to migrate because they have no chance of a career just because they are Christians. Just think that even in Parliament there are just 4 Christian members, nominated by the president, while they are about ten at Senate. This is just a representation because there are no Christians running for election; many do not even have a ballot card. Despite this, we are popular because of the organisation of our schools and our social work”. “Our young people grow in the parish churches as their only venues – added mgr. Tewfik, who is also director of the Egyptian Youth Pastoral service – just because it is difficult for them to find a space in society in which they can express themselves”. According to mgr. Tewfik, Egyptian Christians are approximately 12 million, with only 1 million being Coptic Catholics, the others Coptic Orthodox.

© SIR - 4 marzo 2010