An Egyptian lawyer has filed a lawsuit against the country’s Minister of the Interior, in a bid to gain legal acceptance for converts to Islam who decide to convert back to their original Christian faith.
According to Civil Law in Egypt, Muslim converts can return to Christianity only by producing a certificate from a ‘body of jurisdiction’ confirming their latest conversion. The lawsuit is seeking to force the government to accept such certificates from the Coptic Patriarchate, which represents most of Egypt’s Christians.
First Black Saudi Appointed Imam of Haram Mosque in Mecca: No churches should exist in Saudia Arabia
To watch segments of the interview please click here
Interviewer: "Are you in favor of allowing religious liberties in general?"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "For us, liberty has limits. Would you allow a mosque to be built in the Vatican?"
Interviewer: "Sheikh Adel, the Vatican is the center of the papal church, while the holy places in Saudi Arabia belong to Muslims of all sects and schools."
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "But in the Vatican, they do not allow [a church] to be built for the Protestants."
[...]
Interviewer: "Where can Christians [pray]?"
"The Prophet's Guidance... Dictates: 'Drive The Jews And The Christians Out of the Arabian Peninsula'... They Should Be Allowed to Live Here Only If Their Presence is Essential"
Sheikh Adel Al-Kalbani: "Christians are allowed to pray in their homes. We have no problem with them praying where they live. But for the bells to be sounded in the land of the Prophet Muhammad — that [runs counter] to the Prophet's guidance. The Prophet's guidance, by which we act, dictates: 'Drive the Jews and the Christians out of the Arabian Peninsula.' Driving them out is undoubtedly the prerogative of the ruler, but they should be allowed to live here only if their presence is essential."
What is needed in our time is a new movement which positions true human rights within a Natural Law framework.
VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) - In its own self description, “The
Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences has the aim of promoting the
study and progress of the social, economic, political and juridical
sciences, and of thus offering the Church the elements which she can
use in the study and development of her social doctrine. The Academy
also reflects on the application of that doctrine in contemporary
society.”
Eight minutes from the documentary "Out of Egypt" by Andrew Ishak. The documentary is about the culture of Coptic Orthodox Christians living in the United States.
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Sarah Obama lives in a tiny village in Kenya.Kate Holt / EPA
ABU DHABI // Dr Sulaiman al Fahim, the chief executive of Hydra Properties, has offered to take Barack Obama’s Kenyan grandmother with him on the Haj pilgrimage in November.
Dr al Fahim met Sarah Obama on a trip to Kenya last week.
“I don’t have a mother so I asked her how about if she joined me,” said Dr al Fahim yesterday. “I will accompany her if she is willing to go and if she is capable of going because of her age.”
Mrs Obama, a Muslim in her late 80s known locally as “Mama Sarah”, lives without electricity or running water and speaks no English.
In previous articles of this series, the writer explored the influence of Christian teachings and thought on some of the ancient Egyptian cultural attributes, norms, and values. The writer explored examples from “The Life of Anthony” written by Saint Athanasius. In this article, the writer, with the grace of Christ the Lord, will explore Christian teachings and thought dating earlier than the “Life of Antony”, namely writing of the famous Coptic philosopher Origen (185-254 A.D.). It is perhaps noteworthy that Origen’s name which means “born of Horus” follows a most ancient Egyptian tradition. The contemporary reader should keep in mind that the purpose of Origen’s writing, very much like that of Athanasius’s “The Life of Anthony”, was first and foremost Christian teaching, however as the writers were Copts, the narrative reflects some aspects of the Coptic culture.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Heb 13.8
“Iycouc Pi,rictoc `ncaf nem voou @ `ncof `ncov pe@ nem sa `eneh”
“يسوع المسيح هو هو الامس واليوم والي الابد”
Over the centuries, several cultural attributes have contributed to enhancing the Copts’ prospects for growth and success. Among these attributes are 1) Respect for education, knowledge and the love of wisdom and a predisposition to seek excellence, 2) Taking initiative and a "can-do" approach to life, 3) Flexibility, adaptability and innovation, and 4) A sunny disposition and joy of life. Saint Athanasius the Apostolic (293-373 A.D.) wrote his book “The Life of Anthony” (1) shortly after the death of Saint Anthony the Great in 356 A.D.
CAIRO (AFP) — Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church has for the first time issued a certificate of conversion to a Muslim-born Christian, his lawyer said, in a country where religious conversion is highly sensitive.
Maher al-Gohari, who is seeking to change his religion on his official documents from Muslim to Christian was asked by a court to provide a conversion certificate from the Egyptian church.
"He handed it in today," Nabil Gabriel told AFP. "It is the first time the church provides this sort of certificate."
In Egypt, citizens are required to carry their personal ID cards at all times. Without an ID card, one has no access to basic services.
It is only the second time that such a request has been formally made in a country where converting to Christianity, while not illegal, is practically impossible.
Last year, a court rejected a request by a Christian convert from Islam, Mohammed Higazi, to have his new religion written on his identity card.
By Deacon Keith Fournier
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