The Orthodox Church in Suhag was among those set ablaze allegedly by supporters of former Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi during Wednesday's attacks. Photo: Diocese of Egypt
Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, Andrew Bennett, and Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird have expressed concern about the recent attacks on churches and other religious institutions in Egypt, calling them “unacceptable.”
In a joint statement issued Aug. 15, Bennett and Baird urged Egyptian authorities “to protect worshippers and religious sites from violence and intimidation.”
On Aug. 14, violent clashes erupted in various cities in Egypt after riot police cleared two camps set up in Cairo by protesters demanding the reinstatement of ousted president Mohammed Morsi.
At least 638 people have died from the violence, according to the CBC, citing Interior Ministry sources.
St. Saviour’s Anglican Church in Suez, a seaport city in north-eastern Egypt, along with Coptic Orthodox churches, Baptist and Franciscan institutions were among buildings attacked and set ablaze allegedly by Morsi supporters.
“Attacks on places of worship are unacceptable,” said Bennett and Baird in a joint statement issued Aug. 15. “…On behalf of all Canadians, we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of these attacks and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
Bennett and Baird urged all parties to sit down and “engage in a productive dialogue to ease tensions.” They also called on Egyptians to “show maximum restraint and resolve in the coming days.”
Canada, they added, “firmly believes that implementing a transparent, democratic system that respects the voices of all Egyptians, including members of all religious communities, is the best way to restore calm and give all Egyptians a stake in the future stability and prosperity of their country.”