Frankfurter Allgemeine: Improved ties with Copts in al-Sissi's Egypt
(dpa)
Frankfurt (dpa) - The conservative German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) sees the inauguration this month of a Coptic cathedral in the Egypt's new capital outside Cairo as symbolic of improved relations between the government and the Coptic Church since President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi took power. In an editorial (Tuesday), the paper writes, in part:
"The celebration of Coptic Christmas in the cathedral in Egypt's new capital, in which President Sissi also took part, is a powerful sign that Christians have their, albeit difficult, place in the countries of the Middle East.
The Egyptian leadership has given the widely visible cathedral a prominent place in the new, partially-occupied capital near Cairo.
In doing so, the leadership emphasizes that Muslims as well as Christians are an essential part of Egyptian national unity.
Under President al-Sissi, the relationship between state authorities and the church has improved considerably. There are still complaints about social discrimination, especially in rural areas."
The Egyptian leadership has given the widely visible cathedral a prominent place in the new, partially-occupied capital near Cairo.
In doing so, the leadership emphasizes that Muslims as well as Christians are an essential part of Egyptian national unity.
Under President al-Sissi, the relationship between state authorities and the church has improved considerably. There are still complaints about social discrimination, especially in rural areas."