Principles– Justice 8 – “A Just Ruler” – Saturday 26th of October, 2013

   We tackled the issue of social justice and preserving human dignity of each citizen in this country. We stated that social justice achieves equity to all people and social injustice would ruin the society.

   Voltaire says, the greatest human deed is to bring justice to those who lost it. Hence, inequity is a bitter feeling that ruins a person. If it lasts, it will lead a person to give up on his humanity and violate all the religious rules and international laws. Thus, in order to truly build a strong country, justice should remain the first priority not in words, but in action.

   Justice is the power of nations, Churchill says “The whole history of the world is summed up in the fact that when nations are strong they are not always just, and when they wish to be just, they are often no longer strong.”Alexander the great says that those who hold on justice should fear no more.

   One of the greatest examples on applying justice is Umar Ibn El Khattab whose justice has become proverbial. I admired what Mr. Ibrahim Eissa, the greatest writer and media presenter, said on generosity and justice of Umar toward the Christians. For example, they are allowed to hang the Cross at their homes and churches were allowed to ring its bells at all times save the times of Muslims’ prayers. Even pig breeding was allowed, thought it deemed not holy according to Muslims. It was only illegal to breed them at the backyards of Muslims’ houses.

He also tackled the Treaty of Umar

The text of the treaty read:

   This is the assurance of safety which Umar, the Commander of the Faithful, has given to the people of Jerusalem. He has given them an assurance of safety for themselves, for their property, their churches, their crosses, the sick and healthy of the city and for all the rituals which belong to their religion. Their churches will not be inhabited by Muslims and will not be destroyed. Neither they, nor the land on which they stand, nor their cross, nor their property will be damaged. They will not be forcibly converted.

   Any historical researcher can assert that justice, understanding and coexistence which Egypt experienced in the ruling periods of the just kings reflected periods of strength in its history. When justice is applied by the ruler, security springs into action and as a result nations will give great care to erection and construction and that what history proves. The more wars are waged, the more people get distracted. There is no difference between the internal and external enemies, but rather it is more dangerous when the enemy is inside trying to shatter the unity of the nation so that it remains under the burdens of financial distress and becomes on the verge of collapse.

   Once upon a time in a faraway land, justice, love and peace lived altogether. This land was full of beautiful trees and fruits. It attracted some kind people to live on it. One day, justice asked them to apply it and to respect the rights of others. He also asked them to be their judge. As for peace, he asked to befriend them. Love was silent and when they wondered, he told them that he did not exist in laws, but rather in their hearts. If they lost him, they would lose the most precious thing in their souls. All of them abided by the laws of peace and justice and kept love in their hearts. Thus, they lived happily and… to be continued

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center