Let’s unite for peace

Cairo - The Pope is in Egypt on a two-day visit

Reject violence in God’s name and preach tolerance and peace, said Pope Francis on his breakthrough visit to Egypt on Friday. He appealed for unity among religions during a speech at Cairo’s famed Al Azhar university, the 1,000-year-old centre of Islamic learning.
The Pontiff warmly embraced Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayeb, Al Azhar’s grand imam who hosted him and other senior Muslim and Christian leaders at a peace conference.
Francis said Egypt’s ancient civilisation was progressive. “The sun of science and religion has risen here in Egypt.
“As religious leaders, we are called to unmask violence that masquerades as purported sanctity,” Francis said. “Let us say once more a firm and clear ‘No’ to every form of violence, vengeance and hatred carried out in the name of religion or in the name of God.”
“Let’s be peacemakers and shun violence while cooperating to end poverty and exploitation,” he said.
“To counter effectively the barbarity of those who foment hatred, we need to help young people on the path to maturity and teach them to respond to the incendiary logic of evil by patiently working for the growth of goodness,” he said. Al Tayeb said Islam is not a “religion of terrorism because a minority from among its followers hijacked some of its texts” to shed blood. There were cheers from the crowd.
End the flow of weapons and money to militants, Francis said. “Only by bringing to light of day the murky manoeuvrings that feed the cancer of war can its real causes be prevented.”
Urging interfaith dialogue, he said it is a preliminary step to avoid misleading interpretation of religious texts. “Violence leads to violence, and hatred brings more hatred.” There is a need for constant dialogue, he said.
“We should bravely accept our differences, grant freedom to all and become real builders of civilisation.”
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• MENA