Egypt Brotherhood Unresponsive to Government Plan, Minister Says
October 29, 2013
"What I was hoping to do is to have a space open for participation by all political parties and all political players and the terms for joining this are to say, 'We are renouncing violence; we may not like the road map but we will work with the road map,'" he told a small group of reporters in Cairo today. "This signal has never come from the Brotherhood, whether in jail or outside of jail."
While the army-backed government installed after the ouster of President Mohamed Mursi is pushing ahead with a political blueprint that envisions constitutional amendments and new elections, Mursi's supporters have vowed to resist what they say is the coup that toppled him and are refusing to recognize the political road map.
The main alliance backing Mursi says it is committed to peaceful means and many hundreds of his supporters have been killed in clashes with the security forces during protests.
"I think the Brotherhood is responsible for the continuation of the atmosphere of violence in Egypt," Bahaa el-Din said. "Who is holding the gun and shooting -- I really don't have this level of information."
Government officials have said they are committed to an inclusive political process for those not involved in violence, though Brotherhood supporters say a campaign that includes arrests and asset freezes against the group's leaders renders such calls hollow.
"Do I believe that a security solution alone is capable of taking Egypt forward? No," Bahaa el-Din said. While current tensions alone "will not cripple the economy," the country ultimately "needs to move toward a framework of political accord."
"It needs a political framework," that "would be more inclusive to everybody," he said.
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Words Of Thanks
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Proverbs 31: 8-9
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We wanted to thank all those who attended the lecture given by Fr. Mattias Nasr Mankarious. There was a great turn out. We also want to thank the following:
Fr. Isaac Tanios
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church, Palatine
Fr. Yohanna Nassif
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church, Palatine
Fr. Wilbur David Ellsworth
Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church
Pastor Rev. Raouf Boulos
The Moody Church
We especially want to thank Fr. Mattias for being our speaker. Fr. Mattias was eager to go back to Egypt and, as he said, to be next to his children
in their time of need. We want to thank him for being a beam of light for Christianity and standing up for the preservation of Christianity in Egypt.
The Bible teaches us in the Book of Matthew: " ...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who
is in heaven." (Matt 5:16).
Thank you Fr. Mattias for being the light for us to all see and for being the father teaching your children the love, peace, and mercy of Christ. We know
how hard it is for you to see your children murdered, but we know that you are consoled to know that in dying in the name of Christ, they will be saved.
These things I have spoken unto you,
that in Me ye might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulation,
but be of good cheer:
I have overcome the world.
(John 16:32-33)
To download the power point presentation, click here.
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