Religious leaders call for peace, end to colonialism

More should be done to stop the spread of terrorism for political gain, religious leaders said during the opening session of the Al-Azhar International Peace Conference.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by Bishop of Tanta, Bishop Paula, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, Pope Tawadros II stressed on the need for the global community to work seriously to reduce the economic gap between people and prevent which is also a fertile soil for extremism and terrorism.

We will face the machines of death by spreading peace. We will triumph over terrorism by planting a culture of peace and love in the hearts of people

The Pope has appealed to stop the support and use of extremist groups for political purposes and to achieve unity to stop the sources of terrorism financially and militarily.

For his part, Pastor Olav Fykse Tveit, Secretary-General of the World Council of Churches said that citizenship allows for coexistence.

“We heard that Muslims in Egypt protect their Christian brothers and provide assistance to them regardless of religion, which is a practical demonstration of the concept of coexistence and citizenship,” he said.

Rev. Jim Winkler, secretary-general of the National Council of Churches of the United States, said that the council has established Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups to counter Islamophobia, and was preparing and training them to counter that phenomenon.

Read: Bishop Paula of Tanta and Synod Member speaks to Al-Hayat TV Channel on Egyptian Copts, relations with Al-Sisi and patriotism

The opening session was concluded by the Al-Azhar Grand Mufti, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, who stressed that world peace still needs more research as if it has become complicated and difficult to achieve.

Pope Francis is expected to speak at the conference today during his official visit to Cairo.