President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi pose for an image with the heads of Churches participating in the General Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) on Tuesday 17 May, 2022. Photo courtesy of Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Facebook page.
The state, El-Sisi said, has implemented this approach in all aspects of life in Egypt to maximise human values of peace, love, non-discrimination and spreading a culture of pluralism and freedom of belief. This, in turn, will combat intolerance and extremism, El-Sisi added.
From their side, the heads of churches expressed their happiness visiting Egypt, noting its valuable contributions to human history and its quest for peace. They also expressed their appreciation for El-Sisi’s leadership in reaching settlements on the urgent and complex problems facing the region, which cause great human suffering to humankind.
In this context, El-Sisi welcomed the heads of the churches participating in the MECC’s 12th General Assembly, which is being held in Egypt for the first time since its launch in 1968, stating that Christians are integral part of the fabric of the entire Arab society.
Also attending the meeting was Pope Tawadros II, the Pope of Alexandria and the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, who is chairing the assembly
During the meeting, El-Sisi discussed ways to boost relations between Egypt and the MECC, especially the country’s efforts to support dialogue between citizens and fight intolerance and extremism in the countries of the region.
President El-Sisi also described Egypt’s efforts to renovate a number of Christian monuments and churches in addition of reviving the Holy Family Journey project as part of protecting Egyptian Christian heritage, the statement said.
The 12th General Assembly of the MECC kicked off Monday at the papal headquarters in Wadi El-Natrun in Behaira governorate.
The assembly is set to last until Friday with the participation of 17 patriarchs and heads of 21 orthodox, evangelical and catholic churches.
The MECC, which represents almost all Christians in the region, aims at consolidating relations among the churches in the region and at bringing views on theological issues closer together. It also seeks to maintain a dialogue of love and a life of centuries-old inherited partnership between Christians and the Muslims.
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