Dr. Yassir al-Burhami, Egypt’s premiere Salafi, was once again videotaped inciting hate for and violence against the nation’s Christians, the Copts—including by decrying the notion of giving them their full human and civil rights: “When you cooperate with a criminal, aggressive, oppressive, infidel minority, you attack the rights of the majority [Muslims].”
He went on to concede (sarcastically) that the Copts were “brothers”—but only in the context of the nation, not in the much more important context of religion, or “reality”:
We call them “our Christian brothers, the infidels.” And I use the word “brother” in its common usage: we say, yes, they are our brothers in the nation—but they are infidels who are on their way to hell … and we advise them to break away from the authority of the taghut [meaning “idolatrous,” “tyrannical” or “oppressive”] Church.
Discussing this video, Egyptian talk show host Yusif al-Hussayni made several important points, including that “among these Islamic groups, use of the word taghut is synonymous with ‘go and kill!’ That’s how Anwar Sadat was killed—he was first described as a taghut. So when Burhami describes the leaders of the church as taghut, this is the same as if he were to incite against and kill them.”
He added that for Burhami to call Christians “brothers” and “infidels” in the same breath is as contradictory as if he, Hussayni, were to say “Dear sir, scholar, sheikh, doctor Burhami—you son of a b***.” He also decried the fact that while secular Egyptian and Coptic Christians are regularly accused of “defaming religions,” and prosecuted accordingly,
Al Azhar doesn’t accuse Burhami of inciting hatred and violence against minorities. Indeed, there isn’t a single pious Muslim who is zealous over his religion, who does not permit his religion to be equated with hatred, violence, and incitement against other religions, who bothered to file a case against Yassir Burhami. Not one!
Indeed, while riots and violence regularly erupt whenever a Christian is merely accused of liking a Facebook page critical of Islam, followed by the arrest and prosecution of the accused, no Muslim seems to care when Christians are mocked or attacked in the name of Isam, even though Egypt’s “defamation of religions” law is supposed to protect Christianity and Christians as well in Egypt.
Hussayni pointed out that by allowing people such as Burhami to continue to preach and disseminate their message, the Egyptian government, by default, supports this message of hate and violence against Christians.
As others have indicated, it’s not enough for Egyptian president Sisi merely to speak out against radicalism, or do PR visits to Coptic churches. So long as people like Burhami are permitted to disseminate such hate-filled messages, so long will Christians suffer.
Arsene Lapin says
As Winston Churchill said: “Islam in a man is like rabies in a dog”. When everyone is infected with the same brain-rotting madness, no-one is going to take exception to it. That this psychosis should still be defended by so-called ‘scholars’ and still causing misery around the world after 1400 years is a sad reflection on humanity. Or else, it is proof positive of the activity of a malign spirit.
Lancelot Blackeburne says
Informative article Raymond.
As for the accompanying photo, I’m going to make it my practice to be very cautious around anyone with that bruise on their forehead caused by banging their forehead against the floor during prayer.
dewana says
In the case of religion, the Japanese who mostly embrace the Shinto religion are much happier in the world than people of the rest of the world in general regardless of religion. In Japan we see no difference between majority and minority; there seems no notion thereof. Dr Burhani should take a closer look of the world map. Does he also admit that pre-islamic Egypt was one most advanced civilazation on earth in addition to ancient China?
reyol says
Everything that is Islamic is good. Everything good MUST be Islamic. Everything outside Islam is evil. It doesn’t matter how much good Christians do; they are still evil. It doesn’t matter how much evil a Mohammedan commits; he is still good. This is the Quranic world view. This is how Dr. Yassir al-Burhami’s mind works. This is also how the majority of Mohammedan’s minds work. They need not be the premier Salafi in all of Egypt.
Angry Citizen says
One good rule to observe, when you see the shit stains on the forehead you are guaranteed to be dealing with the most vile of muslims, beware.