Egyptian Shaykh: "Muslims Have Fewer Rights than Christians"
This is from Egyptian online magazine al-Youm al-Sabi'u (The Seventh Day), written on February 9, 2010. In the article, high-ranking Egyptian Islamic Shaykh Khalid al-Jundi attacks Shi'ites and Baha'is, and rejects all relations with Israel. He comments on Christians, saying that they have more rights than Muslims, because Muslims do not even have room to worship in their mosques and are spilling out into the streets. Al-Jundi observes, "Look, you never see Christians praying outside their churches!" What seems to have escaped al-Jundi's mind is the possibility that Copts may not pray outside their churches due to the (likely violent) reaction of Muslim observers.
Regarding his opinion of Baha'is, the Sheikh clarified that the Baha'is are a form of corruption, for they are a people which has denied the prayers and the fasting of the Qur'an. He also added that whoever does not consider the Baha'is infidels must himself be an infidel.
Regarding the normalization of relations with Israel, he confirmed during a religious forum at a press syndicate last night that he rejects every form of normalization with the Zionist entity and especially Israel, adding that it is unacceptable and forbidden under shari'ah law to export natural gas to Israel.
He reiterated that he is opposed to the export of natural gas to Israel in form and in type, for Israel is a hostile and Zionist state. Cooperation with Jews and not Zionists is permissible but for the marriage between them. For they (Jews) are closer to Muslims in some things than they are to Christians. The Jews have a civilization and a culture which at one time played a major role in the development of the Egyptian economy.
Al-Jundi also called for equality between Muslims and Christians, arguing that Muslims have fewer rights than Christians, and even do not have the right to worship like Christians. He called for the building of more mosques, for those which have been built are not enough. Due to the narrowness of the mosques, many Muslims have had to sprawl out in the streets in order to pray. He pointed out that "we don't see any Copts praying outside of their churches."
Al-Jundi expressed his displeasure at the reaction of the Church towards the defrocked, speaking of Zakariya Butrus, and his anger at the Church for not explicitly declaring its position. He was also saddened by the reaction of the Pope in his discussion with reporter 'Amru Adib and his failure to respond to Adib's question regarding his position on Zakariya Butrus. He emphasized that Zakariya Butrus is an expression of abuse, indicating that he had asked the defrocked for a debate, but he is afraid.Loay 'Ali, al-Youm, February 9, 2010
