We like to bash muslims a lot on this forum, mainly because they are constantly in the news for blowing up buildings and whatenot, but today I would like to give a round of applaus to a group of Muslims who is really going out of their way to show the world that they are good people.
On new years eve, Egypt had a terrorist attack on the Saints (christian) Church in Alexandria, killing 21 people. This was the final straw for moderate muslims in Egypt, who have now banded together with christians in solidarity against terrorism and a corrupt government who will not address the issue. They showed up to the christians christmas event to offer their bodies as "human shields" against potential terrorist attacks, to show that they will not stand by as the militant groups pick on their christian neighbors.
This is how humans should interact, and I hope that the christian community in this region remembers that when it is their turn, they too should extend a hand and help someone when you see they are being threatened by unreasonable people.
So a hand to our brothers in Egypt who have courageously jumped across the traditional cultural/religious lines to stand up for what's right and to speak out against terrorism. Mohhamad, peace be upon him, would be proud to find his followers are heading his message of peace over the deranged message of violence that the imams have twisted his words into.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/3365.aspx
For those asking where all the moderate muslims are who speak out against terrorism, here they are:
Egypt’s majority Muslim population stuck to its word Thursday night. What had a been a promise of solidarity to the weary Coptic community, was honoured, when thousands of Muslims showed up at Coptic Christmas eve mass services in churches around the country and at candle light vigils held outside.
From the well-known to the unknown, Muslims had offered their bodies as “human shields” for last night’s mass, making a pledge to collectively fight the threat of Islamic militants and towards an Egypt free from sectarian strife.
“We either live together, or we die together,” was the sloganeering genius of Mohamed El-Sawy, a Muslim arts tycoon whose cultural centre distributed flyers at churches in Cairo Thursday night, and who has been credited with first floating the “human shield” idea.
Among those shields were movie stars Adel Imam and Yousra, popular preacher Amr Khaled, the two sons of President Hosni Mubarak, and thousands of citizens who have said they consider the attack one on Egypt as a whole.
“This is not about us and them,” said Dalia Mustafa, a student who attended mass at Virgin Mary Church on Maraashly. “We are one. This was an attack on Egypt as a whole, and I am standing with the Copts because the only way things will change in this country is if we come together.”
In the days following the brutal attack on Saints Church in Alexandria, which left 21 dead on New Year’ eve, solidarity between Muslims and Copts has seen an unprecedented peak. Millions of Egyptians changed their Facebook profile pictures to the image of a cross within a crescent – the symbol of an “Egypt for All”, and around the city, banners went up calling for unity, and depicting mosques and churches, crosses and crescents, together as one.
^^^^^^ THIS
On this Coptic Christmas eve, the solidarity was not just one of religion, but of a desperate and collective plea for a better life and a government with accountability.
On new years eve, Egypt had a terrorist attack on the Saints (christian) Church in Alexandria, killing 21 people. This was the final straw for moderate muslims in Egypt, who have now banded together with christians in solidarity against terrorism and a corrupt government who will not address the issue. They showed up to the christians christmas event to offer their bodies as "human shields" against potential terrorist attacks, to show that they will not stand by as the militant groups pick on their christian neighbors.
This is how humans should interact, and I hope that the christian community in this region remembers that when it is their turn, they too should extend a hand and help someone when you see they are being threatened by unreasonable people.
So a hand to our brothers in Egypt who have courageously jumped across the traditional cultural/religious lines to stand up for what's right and to speak out against terrorism. Mohhamad, peace be upon him, would be proud to find his followers are heading his message of peace over the deranged message of violence that the imams have twisted his words into.
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/3365.aspx
For those asking where all the moderate muslims are who speak out against terrorism, here they are:
Egypt’s majority Muslim population stuck to its word Thursday night. What had a been a promise of solidarity to the weary Coptic community, was honoured, when thousands of Muslims showed up at Coptic Christmas eve mass services in churches around the country and at candle light vigils held outside.
From the well-known to the unknown, Muslims had offered their bodies as “human shields” for last night’s mass, making a pledge to collectively fight the threat of Islamic militants and towards an Egypt free from sectarian strife.
“We either live together, or we die together,” was the sloganeering genius of Mohamed El-Sawy, a Muslim arts tycoon whose cultural centre distributed flyers at churches in Cairo Thursday night, and who has been credited with first floating the “human shield” idea.
Among those shields were movie stars Adel Imam and Yousra, popular preacher Amr Khaled, the two sons of President Hosni Mubarak, and thousands of citizens who have said they consider the attack one on Egypt as a whole.
“This is not about us and them,” said Dalia Mustafa, a student who attended mass at Virgin Mary Church on Maraashly. “We are one. This was an attack on Egypt as a whole, and I am standing with the Copts because the only way things will change in this country is if we come together.”
In the days following the brutal attack on Saints Church in Alexandria, which left 21 dead on New Year’ eve, solidarity between Muslims and Copts has seen an unprecedented peak. Millions of Egyptians changed their Facebook profile pictures to the image of a cross within a crescent – the symbol of an “Egypt for All”, and around the city, banners went up calling for unity, and depicting mosques and churches, crosses and crescents, together as one.
^^^^^^ THIS
On this Coptic Christmas eve, the solidarity was not just one of religion, but of a desperate and collective plea for a better life and a government with accountability.
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