Promoting Peaceful Coexistence and Common Citizenship

[ 50 ] — INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE FOR PEACE — Religious institutions and cultural and political leaders fail when they are unable to stop traitors from threatening the stability or competences of the state. It is important to remember that an ignorance regarding common citizenship encourages discussion and doubts around ethnic minorities and their rights. However, there is no doubt that support for a culture of dialogue, pluralism and participation has received con- siderable attention from governments and civil society organisations around the world. Many organisations have contributed to the culture of citizenship and pluralism in Egypt including: the Evangelical community; the Dialogue of Cultures Forum, a centre concerned with dialogue at local, regional and international levels for nearly a quarter of a cen- tury; the Christian clergy, especially young people; and the media, young academics, and the leaders of thought, culture and media. On the regional side, the Arab Network for Dialogue, which contributed to the formation of the Forum in a number of centres in the Arab region and in some countries of the Middle East, has contributed significantly to the dissemina- tion of the culture of citizenship and pluralism, through the exchange of experiences between the member centres. On the international side, the Dialogue of Cultures Forum supports the system of popular diplomacy through Arab–European dialogue and other American meetings, in which a group of Islamic and Christian religious leaders, parliamentarians, academics and intellectuals participate. Here, the dialogue concerns topics of common interest, many of which focus on regional and international arenas. We are also pleased to be members of the Interreligious Dialogue Centre (KAICIID). Again, thank you for this kind invitation and for this remarkable meeting. We hope that we will achieve the desired goal. our Eminences, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends — please allow me to convey the greetings of Patriarch Yohanna X. Yazigi. As I’m sure you remember, we met here four years ago and, although we began several impor- tant initiatives at that point, crisis and conflict in the Near East and in the wider world have become even worse. Today we have wars, fights, and fires everywhere. The gospel of John says: “Be peaceful to each other and the peace you give to each other is given to the world.” But now we lack the peace of God, peace between each other and even the kindliness of peaceful personal greetings.This lack frequently points to the policies of war and conflict, which often con- done violence and the use of violence for political ends. All of us gathered here hold the conviction that a culture of peace is needed in the world today. This is reflected in initiatives that pave the way for the consensus of common values, the facilitation of peaceful dialogue and the building of bridges for peace. We, as religious leaders and institutions, have a very important role to play, not only now but in the future. Our points of view, visions and initiatives should be the starting point for building bridges and creating hope. These efforts towards peaceful coexistence need to be implemented, HE Metropolitan Isaac Barakat Y Rev. Dr Andrea Zaki President of the Coptic Protestant Community in Egypt Dr. Zaki is Director General of the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services. He is also President of the Protestant Community of Egypt, President of the Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches, and a part time lecturer at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo. He has authored several books, as well as numerous articles for publications such as the Egyptian daily newspaper, Al Ahram . Dr. Zaki received a bachelor’s degree in Theology from the Cairo Evangelical Seminary; a master’s degree in Theological Studies from Eastern University, Pennsylvania; and a PhD from the University of Manchester. He also holds a diploma in Social Devel- opment from St. Francis Xavier University, Canada.