<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Dear All,<div><br></div><div>Please note this detailed account from the Episcopal priest in Cairo.</div><div><br></div><div>Bishop Pierre<br><div><br><div>Début du message réexpédié :</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);"><b>De : </b></span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;">Paul-Gordon Chandler <<a href="mailto:paulgordonc@cs.com">paulgordonc@cs.com</a>><br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);"><b>Objet : </b></span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;"><b>A brief update from Paul-Gordon Chandler in Cairo (on the recent sectarian conflict and an art exhibition)--Oct 16, 2011</b><br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);"><b>Date : </b></span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;">16 octobre 2011 21:50:22 HAEC<br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);"><b>À : </b></span><span style="font-family:'Helvetica'; font-size:medium;"><a href="mailto:paulgordonc@cs.com">paulgordonc@cs.com</a><br></span></div><br><font color="black" size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Dear friends,
hello from Cairo.
This last week here has been a heavy one for Egypt, as it began with sectarian strife
that resulted in tragedy. We have heard from many of you asking about our
safety.<span style=""> </span>We are all fine and treasure
your concerns and prayers.<span style=""> </span>Of course our
hearts and prayers go out to all the families and friends of those that lost
their lives. And our prayers continue for Egypt and its future. <font color="black" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3">
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">Some of you have
asked exactly what has happened. It is truly much more complex than perhaps the
Western media often suggests.<span style=""> </span>To be
honest, much is still somewhat of a mystery.<span style="">
</span>However, as best as everyone can tell the following account explains
what happened.<span style=""> </span>Last Sunday, October 9, a
large demonstration in Cairo of up to ten thousand
Coptic Christians (the historic indigenous Christians of Egypt, since the time
of St. Mark, the gospel writer) was held to protest a church that was burned
down in Upper Egypt (southern Egypt).<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Muslims
also joined in the demonstration in solidarity with the Christians.<span style=""> </span>All was peaceful until some unidentified persons
infiltrated the demonstrations with the goal to create unrest.<span style=""> </span>They attacked the military, the army
soldiers, who in response fired against the demonstrators and even ran over
some of them with their armored vehicles. <span style=""> </span>The tragic result was that over 24 Christians
were killed and more than 320 were injured, Muslims and Christians. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">Obviously, in
addition to this being a heartbreaking occurrence, some fundamental things need
to change to prevent sectarian violence and conflict.<span style=""> </span>We are praying that the investigations of
this incident be fair and just.<span style=""> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">In the midst of
this painful time, it has been encouraging to see many Muslims denounce the use
of violence against the Christian demonstrators and who proactively are
advocating against the discrimination toward Egyptian Christians.<span style=""> </span>This last Friday, thousands of Muslims walked
from Al Azhar (the intellectual and spiritual heart of Sunni Islam here in Cairo) to the Coptic
Orthodox Church cathedral to stand in solidarity with the Coptic Christians,
calling for religious unity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">In</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> the wake of the recent tragic sectarian conflicts in
Egypt,
later this week we begin hosting an exhibition, titled <i>THE ETERNAL EYE</i>, that
reflects a desire to see the establishment of a new Egyptian society that
inherently respects and honors religious diversity…Christians and Muslims.
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">Please find
attached an official Press Release (pdf format) for this upcoming contemporary
Coptic icon exhibition hosted at our church, St. John’s Church-Maadi, Cairo. <span style=""> </span></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">THE
ETERNAL EYE </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial;">will exhibit over fifty
commissioned Coptic icons by the world renowned Coptic Christian iconographer
(icon artist), Magdy William. The exhibition will be officially opened
this coming Thursday, October 20 at 7 PM by Bishop Daniel, the Bishop of Maadi
and Assistant to His Holiness Shenouda III, the Pope of the Coptic Orthodox
Church, with the artist Magdy William present. Please see the
exhibition's website: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.oncaravan.org/eternal-eye/">www.oncaravan.org/eternal-eye</a></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">The Coptic
Orthodox Church, the historic indigenous Christian presence in Egypt (up to
10% of the population), plays a critical role in enabling all Christians and
Muslims to coexist in harmony. This Coptic icon exhibition seeks to embraces
the new spirit of ecumenical solidarity that was so beautifully illustrated
during the Egyptian revolution earlier this year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">The Exhibition
will run from Oct 20-26<sup>th</sup>, and 20% of all sales go to Egyptian charities
assisting the poor.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style=""> </span><span style="color: black;">During the
exhibition we will have some special presentations as well. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">Thank you so
much for your prayers for this upcoming ministry initiative that seeks to not
only encourage the Coptic Christians here, but also highlight their unique role
in Egypt’s
future. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">We treasure your
ongoing prayers, support and interest. Thanks again for all your emails as
well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">Warmly,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: black;">Paul-Gordon Chandler</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
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</font></font><font color="black" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3"><i><font face="Comic Sans MS, sans-serif">Rev. Canon Paul-Gordon Chandler<br>
Rector, St. John's Church-Maadi<br>
Cairo, Egypt<br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.paulgordonchandler.com/">www.paulgordonchandler.com</a><br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.maadichurch.org/">www.maadichurch.org</a><br>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.oncaravan.org/">www.oncaravan.org</a></font></i></font>
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