2011
TO: direttore@tempi.it
FROM: Giuseppe Eid
SUBJECT: Christians Under Pressure
Dear Dr. Amicone:
This is the draft of a text that could, once polished and modified, be the subject of a petition to the competent authority; is it feasible to change public and governing opinion? Thank you.
“I have some observations to make on the “defense of Christians” by the West: it is a misleading and counterproductive theme that makes it seem as if indigenous Christians are like foreign citizens in their own country; this is not right. Regarding Christians under attack in the Islamic world: the problem is political and should be addressed as such.
I have read a number of proposals regarding the substantial EU funding, and I propose to our leaders to have the courage to make the funding conditional on the implementation of greater civil and religious freedoms and security in the recipient country; to promote a society that has a deep sense of trust in religious and human values, characterized by mutual respect for all its members with equal rights and duties, where religious affiliation is not a discriminating factor among its citizens.
I agree with the idea that the West is beginning to grant credits under certain conditions that range from cultural to technological exchanges, as well as subordinate international funding and protocols being stipulated to certain cultural criteria and reciprocity.
We know that the sources of pressure on Christians in Arab countries are culture, education, media propaganda, sermons and, last but not least, textbooks in schools. In my opinion, Italy and the European Union should extend their actions to cultural areas: to textbooks in schools that are devoid of offensive references to non-Muslims. Even if there are verses extrapolated from the Koran, other verses could be selected in their place. Our leaders should make this very clear to their partners in the countries applying for funding. This is (our) request.”
Best regards,
Giuseppe Samir Eid
Milan City Council for a business combined with ethical and cultural projects
Dear Engineer Councilor:
Last night’s tour of the horizon at Rotary, of the mission of the Department you led, gave us an “idea” of the seriousness of your commitments, those for which it was clear you felt personally responsible: you made them your own. Your sensitivity to multiculturalism, understood as respect for people and identities while still embracing the ethical values of the country of adoption, requires common action regardless of the political factions. I hope that you will be able to continue with the objectives and projects that are still under way in the next parliamentary term.
I believe that the comparative Jewish-Christian-Islamic calendar, published by ENEC (Europe Near East Centre) which I gave you last night, is a good tool to get to know each other without hesitation and with mutual respect; it focuses every month of the year on one of the Eastern Churches, realities often ignored in the midst of our disinterest and Islamic pressure on minorities.
A further example of this pressure was the international book fair in Cairo in January 2006. We saw one or more stands with openly blasphemous books. I found the publication of these offensive and despising texts towards 10% of the Egyptian population aberrant, as they drive hatred with all its practical consequences. Put oneself in the shoes of a Christian who lives in a society with strong antagonistic pressure….etc…books that we then find in some of the Islamic centers in the West that go against the current policies of integration pursued by you. I will take the opportunity of our Mayor Gabriele Albertini’s visit to Cairo to ask him to make this known to his Egyptian interlocutors.
Our Mayor’s journey, made in the name of business and dialogue for peace, CIPMO reads, would fail in its purpose if material interests do not go hand in hand with cultural interests: issues to which Arab countries are extremely sensitive and are often amazed at our apparent indifference in this regard. I think it is more than appropriate to point out these contradictions to Albertini during his stay in the Middle East.
Giuseppe Samir Eid
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator