Declaration on coexistence between Christians and Muslims signed in Cairo

Conference “Freedom and citizenship between diversity and integration” which was organized by Al-Azhar University in Cairo under the aegis of the President of the Republic condemned a new wave of violence against Christians in Sinai, reports Radio of Vatican.

Numerous delegates from 50 countries of the world took part in the conference, including top church leaders of all Christian confessions in the Middle East, while the meeting itself ended up with signing the Declaration on coexistence between Christians and Muslims. The adopted document condemns violence for the sake of religion, as well as urges the people of different religions to live together in harmony and mutual understanding.

Among central issues raised at the conference, there was a “dhimmi” one – an Islamic concept that justifies disparity between Muslims and non-Muslims based on their religious differences. The conference held in Cairo university reaffirmed efforts on revising the notion of citizenship and naturalization on reasonable terms.

“All citizens are equal and Christians cannot be viewed upon as a minority: such term is marked by negative connotations,” underscored supreme imam of the university Ahmad Muhammad Al-Tajib stating that “common will of the nation pins upon citizenship, equality and the rule of law, otherwise there is no point saying about any human progress.”