With Arab spring, Christians vulnerable to Muslim extremists, says Archbishop of Canterbury

For Rowan Williams, Muslim extremists are filling the power vacuum left by the fallen dictators. In Egypt and Syria, Christians might suffer ethnic cleansing like in Iraq.

London (AsiaNews/ Agencies) – The Arab spring has made Christians vulnerable to extremist groups, Rev Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, told the BBC in an interview. For the Primate of the Church of England, the fall of dictators is good news and one day will lead to democracy, but the current power vacuum could be filled by Muslim extremist groups.

"There is no doubt at all that it is a very anxious time for Christian communities. There have been extremist atrocities already, especially in Egypt," he said.

In his view, groups tied to Saudi Arabia are plotting to destroy Christians.

In northern Iraq, violent extremism had made life unsustainable for Christians in a way that amounts to ethnic cleansing, and the same could occur in Egypt and Syria.

Sections

Asia Today
Ecclesia in Asia
Indian Mandala
The Gateway to the East
The Russian World
Red Lanterns

AsiaNews Weekly
News from Asia that matters

Subscribe to the newsletter to receive verified news, analysis and insights from Asian countries every week.

Subscribeto the newsletter
  • P.I.M.E. Centro Missionario
  • Agenzia Fides
  • P.I.M.E. Brasil
  • Radio Mondo
  • Mondo e Missione
  • P.I.M.E. U.S.A.
  • TV 2000