Attacks in Egypt

The African Association for the Study of Religions strongly condemns the terrorist attack on the Mar Girgis Coptic Church in Egypt yesterday in Tanta which killed 25 people and wounded more than 70 others. Later another attack took place at Saint Mark’s Cathedral which killed 11 people. These attack which was carried out at the beginning of holy week demonstrates again the low point to which the disregard for human life has gone, a callous disregard which often makes innocent worshippers the target of violence when dialogue has failed. We extend our sympathies to the families whose loved ones were killed in this attack and the entire Coptic Church family. We note with gratitude that the Grand Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb head of one of Africa’s oldest academic institutions, Al-Azhar University, has condemned this attack. We call on President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to continue to work with the entire Egyptian community to bring peace and justice to all people.

Elias Bongmba

President of the African Association for the Study of Religions