Pope Shenouda III of Egypt, leader of the Coptic Christian church in Egypt, apologised to the Muslims of Egypt on state television for comments made by a Bishop about verses inserted into the Koran after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, according to BBC. Egypt's al-Azhar Islamic authority stated that these comments threatened national unity. Bishop Bishoy, the Coptic Christian second highest leader in Egypt, was questioning verses in the Koran that dispute the divinity of Christ, saying that they had been added later by one of the Prophet's successors. This is unacceptable to many Muslims, as they believe that the Koran is the word of God revealed through the arch-angel Gabriel, and that it cannot be changed. Pope Shenouda said that "Debating religious beliefs are a red line, a deep red line" in his interview on Sunday, and that escalation of the conflict was inappropriate. Tensions are rising in Egypt between Coptic Christians and Muslims after years of peace, as more churches are being built and reported conversions increase. Out of a country of 80 million people, Coptics only make up 10% of the population, posing no real threat to the majority.
By Margaret Nunne
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