A young Copt, Kyrillos ‘Ayyād, sat on the ground inside the St. Mark Cathedral carrying a large photo of Shaykh ‘Imād ‘Iffat, who was killed in the recent incidents off the cabinet office in downtown Cairo, during the visit of Dr. Tayyīb, Muftī of the Republic Dr. ‘Alī Jum’ah and Minister of Awqāf (Religious Endowments) Muhammad ‘Abd al-Fadīl al-Qūsī to congratulate Pope Shenouda over the Coptic Christmas.

“I was a friend of Shaykh ‘Imād and we always used to meet in most of the demonstrations in al-Tahrīr Square, where everyone was calling for attaining the goals and demands of the (January 25) revolution,” said ‘Ayyād.

The Coptic young man said that Shaykh ‘Iffat used to say that the issue in Egypt is not one of Muslims and Christians but rather about some hard-line groups that try to disrupt the unity of the nation and that all the people are equal Egyptians regardless of the religion they follow.

Hānī Ramsīs, a member of the Maspero Youth Union politburo, said Copts are always ready to raise the pictures of Shaykh ‘Iffat and the Grand Shaykh of the Azhar inside the church because “they represent the moderate Islam”.

“Copts appreciate anyone who respects religion and promotes peace among all groups within the society,” said Ramsīs. [Muhammad ‘Antar, al-Shurūq al-Jadīd, Jan. 6, p. 3]