In a meeting at the premises of al-Azhar in Cairo today, the acting patriarch for the Coptic Orthodox Church Anba Pachomeus and the Coptic Catholic Bishop Anba Yuhanna Qolta talked to the Grand Imam of al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb on Egypt’s
In a meeting at the premises of al-Azhar in Cairo today, the acting patriarch for the Coptic Orthodox Church Anba Pachomeus and the Coptic Catholic Bishop Anba Yuhanna Qolta talked to the Grand Imam of al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb on Egypt’s new constitution.
Anba Pachomeus began by confirming the Church’s position in renouncing and condemning the US-produced film which Muslims feel insult their Prophet Mohamed. Dr Tayeb expressed entire understanding. The visit was courteous and compassionate.
The talks, according to Judge Edward Ghaleb, the representative of the Coptic Church in the Constituent Assembly which is currently writing Egypt’s draft constitution, were fruitful and in agreement. All the participants agreed that no changes should be made to Article 2 which stipulates Islam as the State religion, Arabic its language, and the principles of Islamic sharia the main source of legislation. It was agreed, however, Mr Ghaleb said, that a new article should be added to maintain the right of non-Muslims to have their own family law according to their own beliefs.
They also discussed, Mr Ghaleb said, the draft articles on zakat (Islamic alms) and religious endowments, to which the Church objects, and to which Al-Azhar expressed its own reservations. Dr Tayeb said al-Azhar refuses to be considered a reference on legislation, since the venerable, topmost Islamic institution in the world which is now a stronghold of moderate Islam may one day change hands and be governed by hardliners. Meaning that al-Azhar is not immune to changes and may be manipulated to certain ends.
Dr Mahmoud Azab, consultant to the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, said that Dr Tayeb intends to hold meetings shortly with representatives of the Egyptian secular movements, as well as the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis, to discuss the draft constitution, in an effort to iron out the differences.
Participating in today’s meeting were Bishop of Tanta Anba Pola, Judge Ghaleb, and Judge Munsif Soliman from the Coptic Church; and Dr Azab, Dr Mohamed Kamal Imam, and Dr Hassan al-Shafei from al-Azhar.
Watani International
24 September 2012