The spread of the terrorism throughout the world has given rise to a dire need for peace; peace is humanity’s gateway to safety and reassurance which, in turn, motivate people to work and be productive. On the other hand, the absence of peace changes the world to a jungle where beasts disguised as humans roam!
Muslims consider “peace” one of God’s names. In Surat al-Hashr (Exile Chapter), we read, “God, no Lord but Him, the King, the Holy, the Peace.” In Christianity, we talk about God as, “the God of peace, the King of peace, and the source of peace for everybody.”
Peace falls into three categories:
– Peace with God: it emanates from man’s learning God’s commandments.
– Peace with people: it springs from leading a life of continuous love and cooperation.
– Constant peace: which nobody can do without.
Religions have established the importance of peace for man. Peace is a pillar in Islam’s teachings. This is indicated in many chapters. In Surat al-Baqarah (The Cow Chapter), we read, “O believers! Do conform to peace.” In Surat al-Hujrat (The Chambers), we read, “O people! We have created you men and women and made you peoples and tribes to love one another, for the best of you is the most pious.” The phrase, “to love one another” has a great purpose. God wants humans to love one another and live in peace and affection. In Christianity, peace-makers are blessed by God; we also read in St. James’ Epistle, “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
When Omar bin al-Khattab, the second Rashidun Caliph, got hold of Jerusalem, he refused to pray in any church. He told the bishop of Jerusalem, “Lest my Muslim successors come and take it, saying, ‘Omar held prayers here.’ Thus, he gave a lovely image of tolerance. He worshipped outside the Resurrection Church where a mosque bearing his name was built later.
Peace and fraternity are contained in several treaties and conventions which the history of Islam has tackled. Examples are the Najran Accord, the one given to Banu Taghlib, the advice given by Abu Bakr al-Siddiq to Usamah bin Zaid, Omar bin al-Khattab’s testament before his death, Khalid bin al-Walid’s convention to the Damascenes, Amr bin al-‘As’ treaty with the Copts as well as his relation with Pope Benjamin, the thirty-eighth patriarch. Amr handed the Pope all the churches that were seized by the Romans and restored him peacefully to his see.
In all those treaties and conventions, Muslims reassured Christians about their churches, monasteries, cells, property and blood.
Likewise, the Bible tells us, “And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?” Even more, we read, “love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you…” Should this be it, then how would our dealing with our fellow countrymen be like?
Many people moan from terrorism, which deems it necessary for the whole world to unite for combating it. Terrorism can be combated socially, politically, strategically, and economically. Yet, the most important tool in combating terrorism is the ideological one. So, let us prioritize it in order to protect our societies. We need to protect youth, in specific, from being overcome by this destructive ideology.
The ideological tool has two aspects, namely, a corrective one which resists mental fallacies and following their destructive effects, and an educational one that aims at implanting sound values promoted by religions.
Thus, Egypt considered establishing the “Egyptian Family House”.
The Egyptian Family House
Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed al-Tayeb is the initiator of the idea of “The Egyptian Family House”. Reposed Pope Shenouda III, 117th patriarch, welcomed it due to his love and appreciation for Dr. al-Tayeb, which is why he agreed to participate in establishing the “Egyptian Family House.”
The idea made its debut as a result of the massacre of Our Lady of Salvation Church in Iraq. This took place on October 31, 2010. Then came the bombing of the Two Saints Church in Alexandria on the eve of 2011. It is clear that there was a plan to create sectarian conflicts among Muslims and Christians of the Middle East. The plan involved spreading the idea of “rejecting the other”. In effect, Dr. Ahmed al-Tayeb visited Pope Shenouda III on January 2, 2011, to comfort him and present him the idea. The Pope welcomed the initiative, and implementation ensued.
Due to Dr. al-Tayeb’s clear and enlightened vision as well as his incessant toil, the Egyptian Family House was established in 2011. It is an independent organization presided by the Grand Imam of al-Azhar and the Coptic Church Pope. Also, the Egyptian Family House involves representatives of Christian sects as well as some experts and specialists.
Goals (As Per Act I):
– Preserving the oneness of the national fabric.
– In order to do so, communication and coordination amongst the concerned bodies has to be achieved.
– Presenting suggestions and recommendations to these bodies.
– Conducting meeting and conferences in Egypt’s governorates.
Mission
The Egyptian Family House strives to implement the following mission:
– Acknowledging common and shared values amongst religions, cultures and civilizations.
– Creating a new discourse that advocates ethical and ideological upbringing that meets the youth’s needs and enhances interest in the culture of peace and renouncing hatred.
– Utilizing the Egyptian cultural legacy, along with the unique historical and cultural elements of the Egyptian character.
– Getting along with the other and implanting cooperation and mutual understanding amongst the country’s citizens.
– Detecting and suggesting preventive measures that preserve societal peace.
Administration
The Egyptian Family House is a joint organization presided by the Imam of al-Azhar and the Pope of the Coptic Church. Its headquarters is the Imam’s Headquarters in Cairo. Al-Azhar is now represented by Professor Doctor Ahmed al-Tayeb, while the Coptic Orthodox Church is represented by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the 118th patriarch.
The Egyptian Family House has a secretary general and an assistant secretary general. Current Secretary General is Dr. Hamdy Zaqzouq, ex Minister of Endowments.
The Egyptian Family House is run by:
– The Board of Trustees: they are not less than 11 and not more than 27 members. This board assembles regularly. Yet, it can assemble at times of urgency. The Board of Trustees sets the general policies of the Family House and observes their implementation.
– The Executive Board: it is presided by the secretary general aided by the assistant secretary general. It observes the implementation of general policies, and includes committee heads and their assistants.
Committees
Religious Discourse Committee
Goal
– Modifying religious discourse as befits the implementation of the Family House goals, mission, and social values.
– Training imams and priests in Egypt’s governorates.
– Conducting monthly or quarterly one-day or more meetings to implant values, such as love, mercy, cooperation and belonging in people’s minds.
– For instance, throughout three years, the committee has organized 12 meetings for imams and priests. They were entitled “Together for Egypt”. They were attended by about 70 imams and priests each year. These meetings included lectures, sessions, discussions, training and joint caravans that visited churches, mosques, monasteries, hospitals, schools and some projects together. They also included meetings with the heads of the Egyptian Family House and religious leaders, which had a positive impact on effecting common values and reviving forsaken ones. These meetings were powered by metropolitan Munir Hanna. Meanwhile, joint meetings between students of al-Azhar institutes and clerical seminaries are being arranged.
The Education Committee is responsible for:
– Establishing the “Egyptian Family House Friends” groups in schools and universities.
– Reviewing current curricula to avoid any negative impact on societal peace.
– Setting and implementing an educational document which meets the ideology and goals of the Egyptian Family House.
– Dispatching an imam and a priest to give a short speech during the morning parade in primary, preparatory and secondary schools in some governorates.
– Presenting meaningful programs that aim at implanting citizenship amongst students in collaboration with the General Administration of Social, Psychological and Scouting Education as well as student unions.
The Youth Committee is in charge of :
– Implanting values, such as: abandoning violence and all sorts of extremism.
– Developing youth’s capabilities, as well as finding out and sponsoring the talented.
– Organizing meetings and sessions for youth in universities, institutes, and clubs to enhance them spiritually, culturally and economically.
– Organizing scouting camps and sport tournaments.
– Boosting youth’s role in building their fatherland.
Family Culture Committee:
Its role:
– Raising the Egyptian family’s awareness and developing it socially, culturally, ideologically, and hygienically through holding regular sessions that implant the family’s role in building the society, and presenting mother role-models.
Executive Emergency Committee
Its mission:
– Evaluating and studying crises in order to participate in solving them.
– Raising awareness to avoid crises.
Media and Public Relations Committee is in Charge of
– Complete media monitoring of the other committees’ activities.
– Conducting meetings and preparing reports about the activities of the Egyptian Family House.
Monitoring Committee strives to
– Follow up, evaluate, and develop work plans, implementation tools and performance standards.
– Monitor and measure the commitment to achieving general and specific goals.
– Observe negligence and issuing recommendations.
Work never stops in the Egyptian Family House. Several branches for it have been established in governorates, and the establishment of branches abroad is being studied. The experience of the Egyptian Family House which mission is combating ideological terrorism and establishing a sound soul is but a striving toward world peace. Thus, it deserves all effort and endurance. We have a role to play in order to attain true peace. It requires understanding and diligence so it might be acheived. Likewise, it requires dialogue and a deep understanding and love for others, as, when the power of love overcomes the love for power, the world will be peaceful!
The mission of the Egyptian Family House bears the peace and tolerance promoted by religions. Let me, as I end my speech, quote the Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmed al-Tayeb, in the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies which was held in Abu Dhabi in April, 2015, “The relationship of a Muslim with any other entity: be it a person, an animal, a plant, or an inanimate is, in Islam’s core philosophy, a comradeship and a friendship that is mainly based on peace and understanding.”
Concerning non-Muslims, Islam has laid great importance on treating them well. In Hadith (Prophet Mohammed’s sayings), we read, “Whoever hurts a non-Muslim is no Muslim. We have made a covenant with them and their siblings. It is an eternal covenant. Whoever is in charge should abide by it and implement it.” Another Hadith states, “Be kind to the Copts, for they are our kin and brethren.”
As for Omar bin al-Khattab’s testament before his death, he commanded the keeping of promises and conventions with non-Muslims and not overloading them. How kind and tolerant this caliph was!
However, some people might lose tolerance out of religious zeal. Yet, in Surat al-Ghashiyah (The Pall), we read, “Remember, you are being reminded, that you do not control them.” In Surat al-Ma’ida (The Table), we also read, “The only prophet’s mission is to convey a message.” A prophet’s mission and message are ones of truth. In Surat Yunus (Jonas), we read, “If God wished, all people would be believers; you cannot compel them to believe. Nobody becomes a believer unless God allows it.” Likewise, in Surat al-Baqarah, we read, “There is no coercion in religion.” All these are but testimonies of the tolerance Islam has taught people in treating others, especially non-Muslims.
We thank God Who has granted us religious leaders who strive to attain joint peaceful living. Dr. Ahmed al-Tayeb represents Islam’s moderation. Pope Tawadros II toils to implant love, peace and the principle of joint living.
Egypt was blessed by the prophets’ advent, like Abraham, God’s friend, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, then St. Mary with her child who fled from Herod: for they sought refuge in her land. Egypt will always be the world’s safe fortress. May God guide us to whatever is good for humanity.
