Former International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed ElBaradei blamed the Alexandria church bombing on an educational and religious atmosphere that fosters hatred.
In a video posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday, ElBaradei added that Copts should enjoy freedom of conscience, play roles in all state institutions and have the full freedom to build places of worship.
ElBaradei described the crisis’s solution as “easy” by creating “an environment in which everyone sees himself as Egyptian without consideration to his religion or beliefs,” adding, “We shouldn’t hide our heads in the sand as ostrich. On the contrary, we need to resolve our problems.”
In another message on his Twitter account, ElBaradei said some human values relating to social peace are missing, like “criminalization of others’ hatred, equal opportunities among citizens and freedom of establishing places of worship,” he explained.
ElBaradei also expressed felicitations on Coptic Christmas saying he wish celebrations would have been under better circumstances given the recent Alexandria disastrous incidents which saddened all Egyptians.
An Alexandria church was bombed on New Year’s Eve leaving 23 dead and scores of others injured.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
