This column was originally published in the January 15th, 2011 edition of The Kingston Whig-Standard

“Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.” J.F Kennedy.

It has been a tragic beginning of 2011 for the Copts of Egypt when a bomb exploded near the church in Alexandria, killing 23 and injuring over 90 others. It is very distressing for us Muslims that more murders have been committed by some of us against those of other faiths.

This is not the first time Copts have been attacked while worshipping in their churches. Similar incidents occurred in 2006 in Alexandria when four churches were attacked, and again at Xmas in 2009, 7 people were shot in Nageh Hamadi.

It is heartening to see many Egyptian Muslims condemning the murders and marching in the streets with the Quran and the Cross in their hands as symbols of unity and support. But the official response to such acts has not eliminated systemic discrimination against a minority of their citizens. As examples, it is reprehensible that the government seems to deliberately slow down the process of approval for repairs and building of new churches, and Copts report discrimination in obtaining employment.

Dr Wagdy Loza, a Christian Copt, in a Kingston Whig Standard column of April, 2006, states that in the early 20th century, the Copts started to be integrated into political life after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, but sadly since the early 1970s, life for the Copts has become increasingly difficult. They are at least 10% of the Egyptian population, but discrimination excludes them from leadership positions in politics and professional associations. The 1970s saw the rise of the use of religion – Islam– in politics which led to extremism and acts of violence against anyone who was seen as different.

It behooves us to remember that Christianity in Africa – Ethiopia and Egypt – started circa 62 A.D, under the Romans, hundreds of years before Constantine converted in the 4th century, and before Europe became Christian. The Copts believe that St Mark of the Gospel started the conversions in Egypt. What this means is that Copts as Egyptians and as Christians have been around for almost 2,000 years, and are an integral part of their country, whether they were in the majority initially or are in the minority now. On the other hand, Islam came to Egypt and other parts of Africa in the 7th century that is almost 600 years after Christianity. Muslims should recall the Prophet Mohammad relied on the interfaith relationship between his followers and the Christians of Ethiopia when he sent his followers to Ethiopia where he knew they would be protected and well treated because the country was ruled by a Christian emperor.

In many Middle East countries, Muslims may be the majority now, but this does not eradicate the importance of Christians, such as the Copts, in the history of their country nor in the present. Egypt will be the poorer if its Christian citizens start to leave the country of their ancestors because of the fears being created for their well being.

Our own Muslim history should remind us of the tolerance and active engagement that were practiced by Muslims, such as in Spain. It is unfair to judge those days by our present standards, but Andalusia, Spain was called the Ornament of the World because of the flourishing of sciences, arts and cultures of Jews, Christians and Muslims.

It is true that it is a minority of extremist Muslims who demonstrate their intolerance and hatred of everyone whom they deem as unworthy. These groups may be a minority, but they are causing major havoc, and no one seems capable of eradicating their influence.

They are also violent against their own co-religionists as can be seen in the murder of the Governor in Pakistan, because he opposed the blasphemy laws which were being used to silence any dissent. That is a topic for another day.

Surely such intolerance and violence makes it all the more urgent for governments to make it a priority to protect those who are being targeted, such as the Copts in Egypt or the Christians and Ahmadis in Pakistan.

As Lord Acton said, “The most certain test by which we judge whether a country is really free is the amount of security enjoyed by minorities.” We Muslims as minorities in Europe and North America have rights that accrue to us due to our citizenship. Let us practice what Ralph Sockman said, “The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are the majority.”

As I finished this column I received very encouraging public statements from some Canadian Muslim organizations who have condemned the attacks in Egypt and who have attended masses in Canadian Coptic churches. This is a step in the right direction of interfaith support and engagement.