"Solidarity is horizontal. It respects the other and learns from the other. I have a lot to learn from other people." Eduardo Galeano
As a young man, I have become aware of and live Galeano's sentiments and have cast this on my position as a minority in my country. I have taken initiatives to fight for my right to have my voice heard, fight for what I believe, and most importantly fight for my faith- the right to worship God according to my Catholic doctrine. What has happened in Tahrir has empowered me to change Muslim perspectives on Egyptian Catholics in my daily life; I have stood up until my voice was heard. I have actively involved myself in political debates about Egypt's uncertain future, which have taken place at school.
Egyptians were once world renowned as the creators of the pyramids, the pioneers of civilization and now we are the example of the most peaceful revolution in the recent unrest in the Middle East. I agree with Galeano's wise words especially with regards to the position of the Catholics Christian minority in Egypt.
Not only was the revolution a great success but the actions and behavior of the Egyptian populace were exemplary. Christians and Muslims stood side by side to fight for one purpose; freedom, a right that even God has decreed for all mankind. Christians held hands and encircled the Muslims while they prayed. Muslims marched shoulder to shoulder with the Christians upon Tahrir Square.
However as a Christian in Islamic Egypt, I sometimes feel that my voice is comparable to a mouse since Tahrir Square. Not only do I feel like my voice is not heard, but I also feel that my opinions as a Catholic Christian is grouped into the voice of the Coptic Christians of which I am not. When we are not heard, we feel that we are outcasts. For the Catholics in Egypt, our revolution is yet to be resolved.
The Christian community is a minority here in Egypt, and the Catholics are a minority still within the Christian faith and while the revolution gave the illusion of unity and fairness, our voices were not heard. I believe for a successful transition to a new democratic Egypt, solidarity will be key. Egyptians must understand that we are fed under one rooftop and when our rooftop collapses, Catholic Christians, Coptic Christians, and Muslims alike, will suffer. Coptic Christians and Catholic Christians must learn to work as a unit for the sake of their lives and the lives of the coming generation. Coptics need to include the Catholics because sometimes it seems as if we do not belong in Egyptian society, do not belong in the country of our ancestors, and thus we are made to feel we do not belonging anywhere.
My faith has wavered since the revolution but I still feel that there is hope in one day being able to practice my faith freely and to exercise solidarity amongst all Egyptians.
As a young man, I have become aware of and live Galeano's sentiments and have cast this on my position as a minority in my country. I have taken initiatives to fight for my right to have my voice heard, fight for what I believe, and most importantly fight for my faith- the right to worship God according to my Catholic doctrine. What has happened in Tahrir has empowered me to change Muslim perspectives on Egyptian Catholics in my daily life; I have stood up until my voice was heard. I have actively involved myself in political debates about Egypt's uncertain future, which have taken place at school.
Egyptians were once world renowned as the creators of the pyramids, the pioneers of civilization and now we are the example of the most peaceful revolution in the recent unrest in the Middle East. I agree with Galeano's wise words especially with regards to the position of the Catholics Christian minority in Egypt.
Not only was the revolution a great success but the actions and behavior of the Egyptian populace were exemplary. Christians and Muslims stood side by side to fight for one purpose; freedom, a right that even God has decreed for all mankind. Christians held hands and encircled the Muslims while they prayed. Muslims marched shoulder to shoulder with the Christians upon Tahrir Square.
However as a Christian in Islamic Egypt, I sometimes feel that my voice is comparable to a mouse since Tahrir Square. Not only do I feel like my voice is not heard, but I also feel that my opinions as a Catholic Christian is grouped into the voice of the Coptic Christians of which I am not. When we are not heard, we feel that we are outcasts. For the Catholics in Egypt, our revolution is yet to be resolved.
The Christian community is a minority here in Egypt, and the Catholics are a minority still within the Christian faith and while the revolution gave the illusion of unity and fairness, our voices were not heard. I believe for a successful transition to a new democratic Egypt, solidarity will be key. Egyptians must understand that we are fed under one rooftop and when our rooftop collapses, Catholic Christians, Coptic Christians, and Muslims alike, will suffer. Coptic Christians and Catholic Christians must learn to work as a unit for the sake of their lives and the lives of the coming generation. Coptics need to include the Catholics because sometimes it seems as if we do not belong in Egyptian society, do not belong in the country of our ancestors, and thus we are made to feel we do not belonging anywhere.
My faith has wavered since the revolution but I still feel that there is hope in one day being able to practice my faith freely and to exercise solidarity amongst all Egyptians.