A message from H.G. Bishop Youssef

We Love You Egypt


To the Egyptian Youth:

I call upon you to protect Egypt our dear Mother Nation. The main and important issue now is not whom you are with or against. The main issue is Egypt. Whoever supports or opposes should do so for the sake of Egypt. The true freedom and democracy that you are seeking is the ability to accept the other’s opinion with love and understanding.

If you divide and fight against each other, the loser is Egypt; and whoever of the opponents or supporters does not preserve Egypt is a traitor to her.

The voice of truth has reached the ears of the authorities and genuine steps towards reform are under consideration. Therefore, opportunity and time have to be given for the fulfillment of promises.

Continuing with demonstration brings about nothing except destruction to our beloved country. This is the time to put our hands together in order to build Egypt. You have succeeded in achieving the impossible. Now is the time to work together to safeguard those milestones you have gone to bring about reformation.

Therefore, I call upon you to:

    Firstly, stop immediately attacking each other because we all have one goal and that is Egypt.

    Secondly, dismiss immediately all demonstrations in order to restore safety and stability.

    Thirdly, stop anyone, either from the media or the public, who might try to allure and tempt you towards confusion and carelessness. Some will try hard to spoil your beautiful revolution just to achieve their own personal aims and interests.

    Fourthly, cooperate with each other towards the goal of building our dear mother nation Egypt on the principles of freedom, safety, democracy, justice and equality.

    Fifthly, give those in charge a chance to implement and subsequently periodically evaluate what they have promised and to bring to justice the slackers regardless of their posts.

My beloved, I am writing to you these words with a bleeding heart for Egypt. Let us all cry out “We love you Egypt” and turn this love into constructive action.

Bishop Youssef
Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
February 2, 2011

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