05/20/2011, 00.00
EGYPT
Send to a friend

Obama's promises are not the only solution to Egypt’s problems

For Fr. Boulad, an Egyptian Jesuit priest, the most serious problem is the religious conflict between Copts and Muslims, fomented by men of the old regime. Respect for human rights and a aid plan attentive to cultural differences, the key to change the country.

Cairo (AsiaNews) - "The financial support promised by Obama is concrete, but it can not be the only solution to the problems in Egypt”, Fr Henry Boulad, Jesuit priest and director of the Daher Holy Family College (Cairo) speaks to AsiaNews, in the aftermath of the speech of U.S. President Barack Obama on the Middle East. In it, he promised aid and investment to the region's countries that embrace democracy.

According to the Fr. Boulad, the country has fallen into a terrible economic crisis after the fall of Mubarak. "Hundreds of factories have closed - he says - hotels and residences are empty due to the lack of tourists and in a few months the state will no longer have money to pay salaries". Yesterday, Obama promised 2 billion U.S. dollars in debt relief and loan guarantees. But the economic aid, including the US plan, are not the only solution.

For the priest, the most serious problem is the inter-religious conflict between Muslims and Coptic Christians. Yesterday at Ain Shams (a district in the south east of Cairo), hundreds of Islamic extremists attacked a Coptic church recently reopened by the military Supreme Council. Today, the Coptic community has organized a new demonstration in front of the headquarters of the Egyptian TV, to demand greater security and respect for their rights.

"These attacks are not spontaneous - says Fr Boulad - but are fuelled by men of the Mubarak regime, who are trying to create tension in order to discredit the jasmine revolution”.

According to the Jesuit, the West must support a new culture of human rights among the population and develop an aid plan that analyzes the situation from a macro-economic point of view, taking into account all the social and cultural components of the country. (Sc)
TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Tahrir Square flooded by people who want to continue the Jasmine Revolution
25/01/2012
Threat of civil war looms over Egypt, an appeal to the international community
09/05/2011
Young Egyptian leader calls on West to back anti-Islamist struggle
25/01/2013
The military and the economy, the Egyptian spring’s enemies
13/07/2011
The new electoral law benefits former regime and the Muslim Brotherhood
29/09/2011


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”