In an initiative launched by the Coptic Orthodox, hundreds of poor Muslim families in the Egyptian district of Nasser in the province of Beni Suef are being fed.
According to Fides, the Coptic Church of Saints Anthony and Paul are distributing food parcels weekly to those in need during Ramadan. Ramadan is the Muslim Holy month particularly involving prayer and fasting.
Sources explained that, in cooperation with the local mosque, the food parcels the Coptic parish offers are distributed. They also observed there is a synergy between imams, monks, priests and lay Christians which helps strengthen the bonds of familiarity and solidarity.
This, they added, could serve as an effective «antidote to sectarian preaching and to the maneuvers of fundamentalist groups.»
To distribute basic necessities to the poorest Muslims marks a change because during Ramadan in the past, Christian communities used to organize dinners and social occasions to share with Muslims at the end of the daily fast.
In reality, Coptic Catholic Bishop Anba Antonios Aziz Mina of Guizeh explained, «lately those evening banquets had become very formal moments, and participation began to decline. So many Christian communities had the happy idea of using funds intended for such dinners for first aid to poor Muslims. A choice that seems very appropriate, especially in light of the economic crisis that affects a large part of the population.» (D.C.L.)
