Dr. Fawzy El Zefzaf & Dr. Ali El Simman, the Deputies of the Grand
Sheikh of Al Azhar, Dr. Said Tantawi together with Bishop Mouneer H. Anis
of the Anglican Church in Egypt and North Africa, Bishop Yohanna Kolta
representing
Patriarch Estaphenous II of the Roman Catholic Church in Egypt and
Bishop Moses representing Pope Shenouda III, the Patriarch of the Coptic
Orthodox Church in Egypt met on Tuesday 24th October 2000 in Al Azhar and
they chaired a meeting that was attended by Imams and Clergies from all
different denominations. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the sad
situation in
Jerusalem and other parts of Palestine.
The following statement was the result of this meeting:
Out of the common human values between Islam and Christianity which
defend human dignity and rights, Al Azhar and the Christian Churches in
Egypt reject the aggression of Israel on the Palestinians and their properties
and
the unjust and murders of the innocent.
We Muslim and Christian leaders reject and denounce the inhuman practices
of the Israeli Army on Islamic and Christian Holy places in the Palestinian
cities especially El Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
We, the Islamic and Christian leaders agreed unanimously that all the
sraeli aggressive practices against the Palestinians is against all human
rights, religions and all International Laws.We plead to all Nations and
Governments of the world and all International
organizations to intervene immediately to stop the Israeli wild attacks
on Palestinians and to withdraw from the occupied territories allowing
the Palestinians to have their rights in resisting Israeli occupation and
establishing their independent country with Jerusalem as its capital.
We appeal to the leaders of the Arab and Islamic and all Nations, Governments
all over the world, the leaders of the Churches and
international organizations that work in human relief to offer their
urgent humanitarian help and support to the Palestinians as they face all
kinds of humiliation and starvation by the Israeli Government."
Sean McConnell
GraceCom Program Producer
1100 California Street
San Francisco, California 94108
p. 415.749.6363
f. 415.749.6361
seanm@gracecathedral.org
http://www.GraceCathedral.org