A high-level delegation from the evangelical church visited the leaders of " Muslim Brotherhood" on last Tuesday at their headquarters in Mokattam. The delegation was headed by Dr. Rev. "Safwat Bayaadi", President of the Anglican Communion, and contained Dr. Rev. "Andrea Zaki", Vice-President of the sect, Rev. "George Shaker ", the secretary of the Anglican Communion, Dr. Pastor" Sarwat Cadis", Chairman of the Board of dialogue at the Evangelist Synod, Dr. Rev." Atef Mehani", director of the Evangelical Theology School, Rev." Eid Salah ", a member of the general Evangelical Council, Dr." Helmi Samuel”, a member of the People’s Assembly and the priest of the Evangelical church at Assiut, Dr. “Imad Ramzy", secretary of the Board of Directors’ of the Coptic Evangelical synod, Rev." Dawood Ibrahim", Rev." Solomon Sadik", the priest" Refaat Fekry ". Rev. “Nadi Labib," head of Cairo Evangelist Synod. Dr. "Freddie Bayaadi", a member of the Evangelical Council, and Rev. "Refaat Fathi," secretary of the Evangelical Synod. It was interesting to find Dr "Rafiq Habib" Vice President of "freedom and justice party" as member in "the Coptic Evangelical delegation". Attended the visit of the Muslim Brotherhood, "Mohammed Badi," leader of the group, and "Mahdi Akef," the former leader, Dr. Rashad Bayoumi, Deputy Leader, Dr. Hussam Abu Bakr, a member of the guidance office.
Rev. "Andrea Zaki" said, to “Copts United", that the purpose of this visit is to try to have some conversation in the current situation, and the talk was focused on citizenship, education and restrictions on Christian businessmen, building churches, and giving leadership positions based on efficiency. He said that their reaction was more positive than we expected. He added: “We took the first step to open the door to dialogue, we have to live together. The joint statement that was issued after the meeting stressed on the freedom to practice religion, freedom of religious practice, the right to build and repair places of worship, under the law regulations, the right of the believers of every religion to resort to their rituals concerning personal affairs, I want to add that the goal of the visit is religious and not political.”
Labib said that the purpose of the visit is to achieve a cooperation statement between the Evangelical Church and the Muslim Brotherhood. “We must work with them as an existing entity”. Office of the Brotherhood promised to return the visit during the month of March. The statement after the meeting declared that all the sons of the homeland are partners in one nation sharing one future, and they have the same rights and the same duties according to the constitution and the law, and that the Egyptian society stands based on solidarity and compassion among all his people. Respecting others’ beliefs is a duty of everyone. Resisting defamation of religions and the hatred for the others is a responsibility for everyone who loves his nation.
The participants also stressed the importance of continuing communication between the two sides, to work on increasing cooperation, especially among young people, and encourage positive participation, and uphold the morals and religious values.
