Egypt: Solidarity in the wake of the attacks

“It’s an attack not just on Christians but on religion as well,” commented the members of the local Focolare community in Egypt, with reference to the bombings on Palm Sunday. This sentiment was confirmed through the immediate solidarity shown by the Muslim community, many of whom offered to donate blood at the hospitals. “Being deeply religious people, Muslims and Christians in Egypt felt called upon to strengthen their faith after the attacks,” a member of the Movement said.

Two Coptic Christian churches were targetted by terrorists in the city of Tanta in the Nile Delta, and in Alexandria, the second largest city of the North African country. In Tanta the Church of St George was hit causing 27 casualties.  In Alexandria, Church of St Mark was bombed killing 18 people.

The President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has declared a three-month state of emergency, during which all public manifestations and events will be suspended, among other restrictions.

The attacks coincided with the celebration of Palm Sunday, which marks the start of the most important liturgical week for Christians. It was a sombre beginning to Holy Week. The passage of Revelation came to mind which describes a “great multitude (…) from every nation (…) holding palm branches in their hands” who had “washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb (…)”. (Revelation 7:9-14).

On Sunday morning, at St Peter’s Square, the Holy Father prayed “for the victims”, expressing his condolences “to my dear brother, Pope Tawadros II, the Coptic Church and the entire Egyptian nation.” And he concluded: “May the Lord convert the hearts of those who sow terror, violence and death.”