Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie on Tuesday called on all Egyptians to vote in the presidential election runoff, specifically appealing to Coptic Christians to consider national interest when casting their ballots.
“You are our dignified brothers, and reform of the homeland is reform for all citizens, Muslims and Christians, for we have both suffered from sectarian strife and the divisive practices of the former regime, which you undoubtedly do not want to bring back to power,” Badie said, addressing Copts in a statement on Tuesday.
Badie also appealed to the military and the police to protect the election in accordance with the law, and to the judiciary to manage the election with utmost honesty. “I urge citizens not to allow any attempt to falsify the will of the people,” he concluded.
Media reports have claimed that Copts voted for former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq during the first round of the presidential election upon church instructions. Bishop Pachomius, the acting pope, has denied these reports.
Speaking to Al-Arabiya satellite network on Thursday, Bishop Passanty, the bishop of Helwan and Ma'sara and a member of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church, said he welcomes an Islamist president provided that he respects civil liberties and the rights of Copts. He stressed that he did not support either candidate and was not calling on people to vote for one in particular.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
