Official Egyptian Government Website Propagates Hatred Against Jews And Christians: Read letter to US Secretary of State Rice

May 19, 2006

The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
Harry S. Truman Building
2201 C Street, NW, Room 7226
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Rice,

I am writing you about a serious matter that appears on the official website of the Egyptian Government which propagates hatred against Jews and Christians.  The website sponsored by the Arab Republic of Egypt Ministry of Al Awqaf Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs contains the following references in an article, “Islam Versus Ahl Al Kitab Past and Present,” written by Dr. Maryam Jameelah  (http://www.islamic-council.com/non-muslims_u/Chapter3.asp).

“On what foundation can a lasting reconciliation between Muslims, Jews and Christians be based? We must realize that under the existing circumstances, no friendship is possible. Jewry and Christendom have joined hands to destroy us and all we cherish. Zionism, freemasonry, Christian missionary activity and Orientalism have combined to annihilate us religiously, culturally and even physically. It would be sheer folly to kiss the hands that are beating us!.”

 “Peaceful relations and mutual respect among us can only be achieved through strength. We must cease indulging in apologetics and present the Islamic message to the world honestly and forthrightly. Before we can hope to succeed with Tabligh on a large scale, we must first convert the nominal Muslims into true believers. We must establish a full-blooded Islamic state where the world will witness our precepts translated into action. Finally, we must crush the conspiracies of Zionism, free-masonry, Orientalism and foreign missions both with the pen and with the sword. We cannot afford peace and reconciliation with the Ahl al Kitab until we can humble them and gain the upper hand.”

These hateful remarks on an official government website by a close ally of the United States and a key player in the Middle East Peace process are inexcusable. 

Egypt cannot have it both ways.  It cannot be a part of the coalition to uproot terrorism and further democracy in the region while at the same time use the language of terrorists and Islamic fundamentalists in order to undermine and delegitimize Christians and Jews.

This is not a matter of freedom of speech and just one man’s opinion.  This is a government organ that should be promoting tolerance and mutual respect, not hatred and extremism.

On behalf of our 400,000 members, we urge the United States to request that the Egyptian Government immediately remove these hateful remarks from its official website. 

Sincerely,

Rabbi Marvin Hier
Founder and Dean