In this case, my friend will not hold to what follows, but he puts on a convincing performance. This blog is about Egypt, and though I have not yet heard this perspective here during our first few months, it would not surprise me if it exists, as I have heard it everywhere we have lived, though of course not from everyone. Here is the way that many in the Arab World see us. I asked him permission to use this selection from an email to present here publicly, as it expresses an important message. Today I would like to give you a chance to join in this conversation.īelow is the text of a friend from Mauritania who now becomes our first guest blogger. Certainly the internet aids in this process, and allows us to discuss matters though we physically exist hundreds of miles apart. The news that he was to visit the area was encouraging-we hope that he might provide great service to the church and city-but what was this foreign delegation?Īs we began our conversation the facts became clear and Bishop Marcos introduced us to the foreigners in question… ( click here to continue)Īs we have had opportunity to live in several different countries of the Arab World we have been able to make friendships, some of which have lasted over the years. Sawsan Gabra, head of CAWU, Osama al-Ghazoly, and Jayson Casper, and shortly after arrival we welcomed additional parties to our conversation.īishop Marcos had informed us by telephone as we sought to gain an audience with him that he was traveling on Sunday to Nag Hamadi with a delegation from the United States and Australia. He also serves as a board member for CAWU, and has provided us with advice and insight for many years. We also possess internal compunction to make a difference, but find these motivations are like the hitting of a head against a wall what can we do? With fractions of ideas we sought counsel from a trusted advisor, Bishop Marcos of the Coptic Orthodox Church, of the diocese of Shubra al-Khayma.īishop Marcos, in addition to providing spiritual leadership for an influential district of Cairo is also the point person for communication activities of the church. We have a project designed to encourage peacemaking, and we have a region in Nag Hamadi which is in need of peace. We at the Center for Arab West Understanding (CAWU) find ourselves in this third grouping. Some, however, have been spurred to action, but sensitivity, distance-geographically and culturally, and ignorance make it terribly difficult to know what to do. Some have cursed the darkness, while others have closed up their eyes and ears altogether. The recent killings in Nag Hamadi have engendered various reactions throughout Egyptian society.
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