ICC Note: As millions of Egyptians head to the polls over the course of two days to vote on a constitutional referendum, Church leaders are calling for prayer. The first day of voting saw deadly clashes take place and as many as 11 people were killed. Security forces are active in trying to prevent violence but there have still been numerous clashes throughout the country. The constitution that has been drafted represents a strengthening of many rights for Egyptian citizens. The Christian community and most Egyptians have been supportive of it. The Muslim Brotherhood has been staunchly opposed to it, and declared it as “against Islam,” prompting much of the violence.
01/16/2014 Egypt (Christian Today) – As Egyptians began two days of voting in a referendum on a new constitution, the General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK issued a call for three days of prayer for peace and safety.
In a statement released on 14 January, His Grace Bishop Angaelos said, “With Egyptians venturing out to proactively live this new spirit of ownership and citizenship, we pray they are safe in doing so and that they see Egypt move to the next stage of this constitutional and democratic process.”
The Bishop’s call to prayer comes amidst continuing security concerns across the country, with masked gunmen shooting at a church in Fayoum, Cairo early on 14 January, and reports of several killed or injured in clashes with security forces.
With Egyptians abroad having already voted overwhelmingly in favour of the constitution on 12 January, the referendum is widely expected to result in its acceptance. Egypt’s army chief General Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has hinted he may run for the presidency in the event of a strong “yes” vote.
Groups and individuals from across the political and religious spectrum have called for participation in the referendum, including the Grand Imam of al-Azhar University, Ahmed al-Tayyeb, the spokesman of the Salafi al-Nour Party, and representatives of the church, including Coptic Pope Tawadros II, Coptic Catholic Patriarch Ibrahim Isaac Sidrak, and Vice-President of the Protestant Community of Egypt, Andrea Zaki. However, some have boycotted the referendum, including the Muslim Brotherhood-led Anti-Coup Alliance and the Strong Egypt Party. In a continuation of the Muslim Brotherhood’s demonization of the Coptic community as being responsible for the removal of former President Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood website is focusing on the high turnout of Coptic voters.
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