Fethullah Gülen’s Statement of Condemnation for Terrorist Attack Against the Coptic Christian Community in Egypt

Fethullah Gülen

I have learned with grief about the horrific terrorist attack against two Coptic churches in Egypt during a Palm Sunday mass, killing at least 43 worshipers and police officers. I vehemently condemn this atrocity against the Coptic Christian community.

ISIS reportedly claimed responsibility for this inhuman attack. Despite their name and their claims, the perpetrators of such brutality should be viewed simply as terrorists who deny human beings their lives and dignity. Every human being is created equal by God Almighty and any form of attack or persecution of individuals based on religious, ethnic or other differences is an act that contradicts the principles of the Qur’an and the tradition of our Prophet (Peace and Blessings Be upon Him).

I am confident that, like all countries around the world, the unity of the Egyptian nation is stronger than despicable terrorist attacks that take aim at the country’s security and stability, and seek to destroy its society and the people who throughout history have strived to achieve the highest degrees of tolerance, love and brotherhood. Despite the immensity of these painful events that took place in Egypt, it will not diminish the cohesion of the Egyptian people and will lead the country to steadfastly address this dark hatred in order to eliminate its roots.

I am deeply saddened that an act of brutality occurred in a place of worship and mourn the loss of innocent community members. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, to the Coptic Christian community and to the people of Egypt. I pray to God to grant patience and perseverance to the relatives of those who lost their lives and heal the wounds of the injured.

About Fethullah Gülen

Fethullah Gülen is an Islamic scholar, preacher and social advocate, whose decades‐long commitment to education, interfaith dialogue and altruism has inspired millions in Turkey and around the world. Gülen is the honorary chairman of the Rumi Forum, Washington, DC and the Intercultural Dialogue Platform, Brussels, Belgium.

About Alliance for Shared Values

The Alliance for Shared Values (AFSV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as a voice for cultural organizations affiliated with Hizmet, a civil society movement inspired by prominent preacher and peace advocate Fethullah Gülen. The Alliance strives to promote peace and social harmony by helping reduce misinformation and false stereotypes about any or all ethnic, cultural and religious communities. To learn more about the Alliance, please visit www.afsv.org.

Published on AfSV.org, 10 April 2017, Monday