Watani talks to Rev. Gohar Azmi of the Evangelical Nile Synod Schools, about being Christian in an increasingly politically-Islamist Egypt
Watani talks to Rev. Gohar Azmi of the Evangelical Nile Synod Schools, about being Christian in an increasingly politically-Islamist Egypt
Rev. Gohar Azmi, assistant secretary-general of the 23 schools in the Evangelical Nile Synod Schools group and a member of the executive committee of the Dialogue and Ecumenical Council, possesses a profound vision of what is going on in Egypt these days. He is introducing a number of ideas and reassurances on several issues that preoccupy Egyptians, topping which is the rise of Islamic fundamentalism, Coptic immigration and the future of Egyptian education in the coming period.
Watani talked to Rev. Azmi about his ideas.
Do you see any justification for the current panic among Copts, especially after the meteoric rise of religious Islamism?
This panic is not justified at all, since any regime should be governed by international standards including respect of human rights, freedom of belief, true justice and respecting minority rights.
If any regime attempts to break these standards it will suffer international isolation. It was because of this that the Hamas movement was restricted in Gaza, and the same has happened with the Iranian regime.
Nor will the international community approve of any regime that oppresses its people.
Where does this inner confidence come from?
There is already a strong liberal stream in Egypt which is significant and comprises political intellectuals, writers, university students, civil society organisations and the liberal and leftist parties. Even though these are newly formed and have no political experience and not much time, they do not use religion, money, thuggery nor law-breaking, and they have already had decent results in elections.
Are you worried about the future of the Camp David agreement, or about turning Egypt into a religious State?
In my opinion, the Muslim Brotherhood would be the first to disapprove of cancelling the Camp David agreement. Cancellation would mean choosing the war option against Israel, and the current economic and international reality would not accept this.
As for Egypt, it enjoys a civilised and cultural heritage, and its ideology revolves round a liberal and civil State. There is also a legacy of tolerance and a heritage of education. Egypt’s characteristics are moderate values, multiplicity and tolerance.
But, this legacy of tolerance is coming under attack from the influx of the Bedouin culture that is invading Egypt from the Gulf oil States?
To combat these trends we need to awaken the spirit of tolerance, and the Egyptian character and mentality is totally open to this. That’s why I see that the Mubarak regime was careless regarding the building of the Egyptian mentality and character. It left the arena—represented in universities, syndicates and schools—open to Wahabi fanatics. Thus it let the fanatics win.
Then what about the demands by some fanatic streams to impose the jizya tax (a tax imposed on non-Muslims living under Muslim rule) and apply the hudoud (Islamic penalties)?
This will not happen, because the overwhelming majority are made up of intellectuals and Muslim scholars who are not convinced about the legitimacy of these measures, and moreover the Christians won’t accept paying the jizya.
So what is the source of your confidence?
I have full confidence in God. He is fair and capable. Second, as I mentioned before, there are international standards, liberal streams, moderate al-Azhar and Egypt’s civilised legacy.
How do you regard Christian emigration?
I consider emigration because of the current circumstances in Egypt to be a betrayal of the nation.
As secretary-general of the Synodus schools, are you worried about the future of these schools, which are described as Christian?
I am not worried about the Christians in Egypt, even though I am worried about the issuance of laws that would place restrictions on associations with links to the Church. This could include interference in the education curricula. But this, in my opinion, will happen in the long run. If there is any such intention it will take time to unfold.
What about the role of Christians in the coming period?
For many decades Christians have spent their lives inside church walls, even when demonstrating and protesting, and those who wanted to merge with others into society and become politically active were criticised. It is now time for Christians to emerge from these church walls and interact with other Egyptians and join in their activities. This will surely lead to a better understanding of the Christians, and will also result in Christian groups, political and social, who will express not only Christian ambitions but those of all Egyptians.
How do you see in the future?
The real bet on Egypt’s stability and progress is the authentic Egyptian character. And the bet for Christian stability is the Christians’ strong bond with their Muslim brothers.
It is not in Egypt’s interest, or that of any other Arab country, to rid itself of its Christians.
WATANI International
4 March 2012