FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The top executive of the Baptist World Alliance called on the Egyptian government Feb. 4 to take “necessary, peaceful” steps to resolve almost two weeks of anti-government rallies in cities across the nation and for protesters to remain nonviolent.
Neville Callam (BWA photo)
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“As part of the Christian family, the BWA is unswerving in its commitment in the cause of human rights and freedom,” said BWA general secretary Neville Callam in a press release. “Therefore, we stand in solidarity with those who employ peaceful means to secure respect for these basic human ideals.”
He added: “We urge the protesters to ensure that their protest is based on the principle of nonviolence and we expect the Egyptian government to take the necessary, peaceful steps to end the conflict. We expect no less from a country with as long and proud a history as Egypt, which has contributed so much to the cultural heritage of humankind.”
Since Jan. 25, hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Cairo, Alexandria and other Egyptian cities to demand the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled the country for 30 years.
“As we face mounting uncertainty in Egypt, I join with the European Baptist Federation and Mounir Yacoub, vice president of the Egyptian Baptist Convention, in requesting prayers of Christians around the world,” said Callam.
One Egyptian Baptist leader told the BWA that some Baptist congregations have been closed since the unrest began.
“The people and pastors are very worried because there is no protection from the government because the government is trying to protect itself,” said Botros Faltaos, president of the Bible Baptist Denomination, based in Alexandria, according to a BWA press release.
Faltaos asked others around the world to pray for a peaceful transition of power to a government “that will help all citizens” and that “will respect people’s right to their religious beliefs,” according to the press release.
In another communication to the BWA, the former president of the Jordan Baptist Convention, Nabeeh Abassi, wrote that “an evangelical friend” in Egypt told him, “There are many safety concerns and there is the possibility that Islamic groups could use this opportunity to establish an Islamic state.” But the friend added: “There have been good things that have already resulted from this. There is an unbelievable sense of community among people, regardless of religion.”
Somewhere between 10 and 20 percent of Egypt’s population is Christian, and the vast majority belongs to the Coptic Orthodox Church. Baptists have a very small presence. In 2009 — the most recent year for which data is available — the Egyptian Baptist Convention had 13 churches with about 1,300 members, according to BWA statistics.
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Robert Dilday is managing editor of the Religious Herald.