Healing the Homeland, Part 1
By Sally Bishai (02/20/06)
Lots of people talk a lot about “making a change in the world,” but then end up sauntering back into the world, not having changed anything, except, perhaps, the fast-food restaurant they’d planned to hit for lunch that day.
But I’m not going to be pushing Taco Bell or Wendy’s today.
Rather, I’ll be going on about how you—yes, YOU—can make a difference in the homeland.
Since I’m Egyptian, or should I say, “of Egyptian extraction,” even though that sounds like I’m a bottle of vanilla or something, I’ll be talking about Egypt. But my advice is certainly applicable to any nation in the world, including America.
See, so many people—Copts included—think that the problem with Egypt is the government (meaning Hosni Mubarak).
Or perhaps “The Muslims,” as though every Muslim on earth, or at least in Egypt, is a Copt-killer, or at least, a Copt-hater.
They forget about such scholars as Dr. Saad Eldin Ibrahim, who spends so much time and effort in making things equal in Egypt.
They forget about writers like Mona Eltahawy, who, apart from having a beautiful soul, uses her keen mind and powerful voice to fight for equality—for everyone.
This is not to mention the countless other Muslims—in Egypt and in the West—who spread their kindness, generosity and love to everyone they meet, and have nothing to do with the persecution of the Copts.
A friend of mine recently suggested that we should examine just where our hearts lay.
“There is no hope for Christians in Egypt until they learn to love Muslims as they love themselves,” he said.
He’s right.
Many Copts feel as though the generic Muslim is the tormenter, and, consequently, steer clear of friendships or even common courtesy to their brothers-in-land. (Don’t forget that most Egyptians share blood, even though some may have converted to Islam, Protestantism, or whatever.)
This anti-Muslim attitude, however, only makes the problem worse. Many Muslims are stunned—nay, saddened—to be rebuffed when they’re only trying to extend the hand of friendship to Copts.
A Copt may come back with doubts as to the sincerity of no-strings-attached friendship; meaning, they may have a concern that the friendship is merely an attempt to convert them to Islam. (Not that Christians don’t try to spread the Gospel, too.)
Given the fact that this DOES sometimes happen, I can’t put all of the blame on my cautious Coptic brothers for propagating this vicious cycle and being wary of designs on them. But at the same time, a smile can’t hurt anything, can it?
Sure, there are the fanatics who will repay kindness with cruelty based on our faith or our looks, but that’s the case with every race and creed. No one religion or ethnicity has the corner on jerks.
You know, democracy in Egypt can never become a reality the way things are now, and I’m talking about the segregated social climate.
Copts, it is our DUTY as Christians to love everyone.
It is our DUTY to show kindness, compassion, and caring for anyone, even if they’re not our religion. Or denomination.
I am a protestant from a population that’s largely Orthodox, and I’ve certainly had my share of snubbing once it was found out. I’ve also had people try—within an inch of their (and my!) life to get me to “see the light, and undo the damage that my ancestors did 100 years ago.” But back to my main point...
The Bible does NOT tell us to be kind JUST so that we’ll be a good example, or bring others to know Jesus as their personal savior.
Rather, we are supposed to be loving because Jesus loved us, and because His sacrifice on the cross has allowed each of us to become a new creation in Him; our task is to strive to be Christlike in all circumstances, whether 50 million are watching us, or none. (Or One, who’s up in the sky keeping watch over us 24/7.)
So again, I truly believe that the first step to changing things back home—wherever “home” may be—is that we follow Jesus, the High Priest of our faith, and remember to LOVE everyone, and act accordingly.
It may take some time, some sacrifice, and some effort, but once the somewhat segregated populations of “Copt” and “non-Copt” begin to mingle on a much larger scale, the government will HAVE to join the citizens it governs, and ensure equal rights for all.
(Printer friendly version) Email: Sally Bishai
