From Europe News:
Salafi Muslims' Agenda behind Christian Persecution in Egypt
ChristianNewsToday.com 21 June 2011
By Jeremy Reynalds
EGYPT -- A recent spate of violence in Egypt, mostly incited by conservative Salafi Muslims after President Hosni Mubarak's downfall, has left over 24 killed, more than 200 wounded and three churches destroyed.
According to a report by the World Evangelical Alliance's Religious Liberty Commission (WEA-RLC), the perception of threat to Christians is so severe that many of them are reportedly seeking to move out of the country.
WEA-RLC said while for the youth and moderate Muslims of the country the Jan. 25 uprising was about democratic freedoms, the Salafis who had been inactive for decades quickly saw it as an opportunity to push an Islamist agenda.
Sectarian violence, mostly against Coptic Christians, escalated amid a debate on the role of religion in politics that began following the departure of Mubarak and picked up pace after the announcement of a referendum to adopt an interim constitution (mainly amendment to the 1971 constitution) paving the way for a democratic election.
WEA-RLC said the bone of contention was Article 2 of the previous constitution which stated that Islam was the state religion and legislation must be based on the principles of Islamic law. Although this article was retained in the draft constitution and insulated against the voting, there was still apprehension.
WEA-RLC said Islamists thought if Egyptians were to reject the draft constitution, a new one would have to be drawn up from scratch which might not include the content of Article 2. Liberal Egyptians, who see Islam mainly as a form of private faith, feared that the retention of the Article could lead to discrimination against Coptic Christians and other minorities - more than they experienced during Mubarak's regime.
In the March 19 referendum, WEA-RLC said, a majority said "yes" to the amendments and the interim constitution was adopted. However, the debate is not over yet. The Salafist struggle for the formation of a more conservative state carries on.
WEA-RLC said Salafis read the Quran literally, and try to maintain a lifestyle that replicates early Islam in the days of Mohammed. They follow the salaf, Muhammad's 7th century companions, and reject later movements as heresy. They believe in banning alcohol, the "mixing of sexes" and Christian worship. It is believed that they are being guided and funded by their counterparts in Saudi Arabia. (...)
Posted June 21st, 2011 by pk
Salafi Muslims' Agenda behind Christian Persecution in Egypt
ChristianNewsToday.com 21 June 2011
By Jeremy Reynalds
EGYPT -- A recent spate of violence in Egypt, mostly incited by conservative Salafi Muslims after President Hosni Mubarak's downfall, has left over 24 killed, more than 200 wounded and three churches destroyed.
According to a report by the World Evangelical Alliance's Religious Liberty Commission (WEA-RLC), the perception of threat to Christians is so severe that many of them are reportedly seeking to move out of the country.
WEA-RLC said while for the youth and moderate Muslims of the country the Jan. 25 uprising was about democratic freedoms, the Salafis who had been inactive for decades quickly saw it as an opportunity to push an Islamist agenda.
Sectarian violence, mostly against Coptic Christians, escalated amid a debate on the role of religion in politics that began following the departure of Mubarak and picked up pace after the announcement of a referendum to adopt an interim constitution (mainly amendment to the 1971 constitution) paving the way for a democratic election.
WEA-RLC said the bone of contention was Article 2 of the previous constitution which stated that Islam was the state religion and legislation must be based on the principles of Islamic law. Although this article was retained in the draft constitution and insulated against the voting, there was still apprehension.
WEA-RLC said Islamists thought if Egyptians were to reject the draft constitution, a new one would have to be drawn up from scratch which might not include the content of Article 2. Liberal Egyptians, who see Islam mainly as a form of private faith, feared that the retention of the Article could lead to discrimination against Coptic Christians and other minorities - more than they experienced during Mubarak's regime.
In the March 19 referendum, WEA-RLC said, a majority said "yes" to the amendments and the interim constitution was adopted. However, the debate is not over yet. The Salafist struggle for the formation of a more conservative state carries on.
WEA-RLC said Salafis read the Quran literally, and try to maintain a lifestyle that replicates early Islam in the days of Mohammed. They follow the salaf, Muhammad's 7th century companions, and reject later movements as heresy. They believe in banning alcohol, the "mixing of sexes" and Christian worship. It is believed that they are being guided and funded by their counterparts in Saudi Arabia. (...)
Posted June 21st, 2011 by pk
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