Good News in Egypt

As with most current events blogs it seems that bad news frequently predominates over good news. However it is nice, every once in awhile, to be able to produce a heartwarming story of unity and solidarity in the midst of trouble, especially when it transcends frequently divisive lines.

Egyptian Muslims turned up for the Coptic Christmas Eve services, surrounding the churches as "human shields" to protect them from attack as the mass was celebrated.

From the well-known to the unknown, Muslims had offered their bodies as “human shields” for last night’s mass, making a pledge to collectively fight the threat of Islamic militants and towards an Egypt free from sectarian strife.... “This is not about us and them,” said Dalia Mustafa, a student who attended mass at Virgin Mary Church on Maraashly Street. “We are one. This was an attack on Egypt as a whole, and I am standing with the Copts because the only way things will change in this country is if we come together.” In the days following the brutal attack on Saints Church in Alexandria, which left 21 dead on New Year’ eve, solidarity between Muslims and Copts has seen an unprecedented peak. (Link)

Our thanks to the brave Muslims defended the right of Copts to worship peacefully in their nation. Let's keep this up, together.