Islamic Leaders Urge Egyptian Muslims to Protect Christians Facing Violence
The Russian Association of Islamic Accord, which is also known as the All-Russian Muslim Board, has called on Egyptians to protect the country's Christian population.
Mufti Farid Salman, head of the Ulema Council of the association, called on the Egyptian Muslim population to maintain the safety of churches in the country, to protect Muslim and Christian clergy and to "severely punish the extremists who sowed the seeds of chaos and revolt," according to Interfax independent news group.
"It is unacceptable to tolerate the continuation of this orgy of Saran followers, who have burned down several dozens of churches and have looted monasteries in the past few days in an attempt to further fan the flames of this fratricidal war, cease the efforts of those to desecrate, destroy and loot numerous mosques and madrasahs [religious schools]," the mufti continued in a statement.
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He accused the Muslim Brotherhood of using religious language to "open the gates of chaos and disasters." He said the recent violence in the modern histories of Syria, the Palestinian territories; Sudan, Libya, Tunisia and Egypt all demonstrate the destructive impact of the Brotherhood on societies.
Salman added he hopes the Brotherhood is never removed from Russia's list of banned organizations.
The mufti pointed out that Copts once "opened the gates of Egypt to Islam and Muslims," and thus Allah ordered Muslims to be a vanguard for the country and its people.
"We urge the brave Muslim sons of Egypt to always remember that Almighty Allah put you in charge of this blessed land and that you bear the responsibility for its residents, especially the Copts," he said.
