CAIRO, March 8 (UPI) -- The Egyptian government has barred 2,000 Christian pilgrims from visiting Jerusalem at Easter.
Egyptian travel agents have told colleagues in Israel that Coptic and Greek Orthodox Christians in Egypt are not allowed this year to make a pilgrimage to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in East Jerusalem, YNetNews reported.
The ban on the pilgrimage appears to be related to the trial of Mohamed Essam Ghoneim el-Attar, an Egyptian accused of spying for Mossad, the Israeli secret service.
posted
they are stupid ,should ban to mecca ,,one eye for another ,,stupid stupid .......faith shud not come into it .god help religion is becoming a crime .....
Posts: 4597 | Registered: Jun 2006
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posted
Some year before he died my FIL wanted to make this pelgrimage with dh, but unfortunately for safetyreasons the road was blocked. In the last weeks of his life FIL told dh that God has taken him in a vision to see the church and it was wonderfull. I managed to get some souvenirs from the church (a jewish colleague went for a visit) to give to my MIL and her sister later.
Since religion and politics are not separated Christians are liable for being seen as disloyal to an Islamic state.
My son wants to go with his father, but they will use their Dutch passports when they go.
Posts: 1419 | From: Amsterdam, Netherlands | Registered: Aug 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Tigerlily: Published: March 8, 2007 at 10:14 PM
Egypt bans Easter pilgrimage to Jerusalem
CAIRO, March 8 (UPI) -- The Egyptian government has barred 2,000 Christian pilgrims from visiting Jerusalem at Easter.
Egyptian travel agents have told colleagues in Israel that Coptic and Greek Orthodox Christians in Egypt are not allowed this year to make a pilgrimage to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in East Jerusalem, YNetNews reported.
The ban on the pilgrimage appears to be related to the trial of Mohamed Essam Ghoneim el-Attar, an Egyptian accused of spying for Mossad, the Israeli secret service.
Why is this reporting service quoting "YNetNews" and not the Egyptian travel agents themselves.
If you notice the Egyptian on trial for spying with the Moussad is "Mohamed"Essam Ghoneim el-Attar, who with the first name Mohamed is not a Copt and all Egyptians might be banned as well, not just the Copts and Greek Orthodox.
Lets use our powers of observation and thinking caps when quoting an "Yiddish" news source. Thank you.
Posts: 3168 | From: If you don't like it, don't look or read it! | Registered: Oct 2006
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Egypt Forbids Christians To Make Easter Pilgrimage To Israel As Egyptian Stands Trial As Spy For Israel
March 11, 2007 10:30 a.m. EST
Joseph S. Mayton - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent
Cairo, Egypt (AHN) - The Egyptian government has forbidden the country's Christians to visit Israel for a pilgrimage during this year's Easter celebrations at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in East Jerusalem. Approximately 2,000 Greek Orthodox and Coptic Christians have been refused exit-visas from the Cairo government for the trip.
According to reports, Egyptian travel agents have told their Israeli counterparts that the Egyptian government has decided not to allow travel to this year's pilgrimage.
The reason stems from the arrest of Mohamed Essam Ghoneim El Attar, an Egyptian currently standing trial for allegedly spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.
The ruling comes as Egyptian and Israeli ties have been strained at best. Members of Egypt's parliament have called on the government to reassess continued relations with Israel following the alleged spying.
However, most analysts believe that Egypt will not end over 25 years of peace with Israel, despite calls from government MPs and the opposition Muslim Brotherhood.
The Coptic Orthodox pop "Pop Shenouda III" has banned the pilgrimage as far as Jerusalem is occupied by Zionists. This decision is dating back to 1974.
Government decision has no religious background; it is a manner to pressure a fanatic country after uncovering a wide spying network working for it. I see it less than average act.
-------------------- Last Knight Posts: 139 | From: Cairo | Registered: Dec 2005
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