By Coptic Christians in Egypt gathered to worship on Palm Sunday, the celebration and remembrance of Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem and the beginning of the Holy Week. ISIL suicide bombers attacked in Tantra and just a few hours later in Alexandria, killing at least 44 and injuring over 120 people. Sadly, this comes just months after the December St. Peter’s Church bombing in Cairo where 25 people were killed.
Among the victims were Muslim officers Ahmed Ibrahim, Brigadier General Nagwa El-Haggar and Emad El-Rakiby who were guarding the church and attempted to refuse entry of the bombers. Egyptian Muslims quickly began gathering to donate blood for the victims. President El-Sisi has declared a 3 month state of emergency.
President Trump tweeted, “Sad to hear of the terrorist attack” and that he has “confidence that President Al Sisi will handle it properly.”
It is important for the world to know this attack violates what is taught in the Qur’an and by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and does not reflect the actions of true Muslims or Islam. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made a lasting promise to the Christian church:
“This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them. Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.
No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses.
No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries.
No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims’ houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God’s covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate.
No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them.
If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants.
No one of the nation (Musims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Dat (end of the world.)”
Today, we stand in solidarity with those affected by these horrific attacks.
a fantastic and enlightening piece of writing and journalism, united we stand, divide we fall.