Press Release: U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, listens to freedom of religion or belief concerns at a meeting with faith leaders in Lambeth Palace

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U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, listens to freedom of religion or belief concerns at a meeting with faith leaders in Lambeth Palace

9 May 2019

On 8 May 2019, an unprecedented meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, hosted by The Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, and attended by the Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Ambassador Johnson, US Ambassador to the UK, and UK-based faith leaders, was held at Lambeth Palace. The aim of the meeting was to allow faith leaders to present religious freedom concerns affecting communities worldwide, along with suggestions as to how such challenges can be addressed.
 

This meeting was a precursor to a ‘Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom’ which will be hosted by Secretary Pompeo in the United States in July of this year.

The faith leaders participating in the conversation at Lambeth Palace were: His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, His Grace Archbishop Kevin McDonald representing the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, 11th Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, Imam Qari Asim, Chair of Mosques & Imams National Advisory Board, and Yousif Al-Khoei of the Al-Khoei Foundation.

The meeting came just days after the interim report on the persecution of Christians worldwide, commissioned by Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, revealed that of the faith communities persecuted in the world, 80% are Christian. This also comes after attacks in recent weeks on praying communities in Christchurch, Pittsburgh and Sri Lanka, among others, as well as many other gross religious freedom violations leading to tragedies worldwide, which often go unreported.

Speaking after the meeting, Archbishop Angaelos said:

“This was a welcome meeting because it brought together policy makers and religious leaders to speak on a topic that affects all of our communities. It is only with this holistic approach that we can hope to move forward and truly address religious freedom violations, and promote the safeguarding of every life which is sanctified by God.

We must, as a global community, recognise that just as there are systematic and targeted attacks on Jewish and Muslim communities, there is a similar phenomenon of attacks on Christian communities worldwide.

Religious and political leaders have a shared responsibility in promoting love, respect and acceptance of all, and to stand against the rhetoric of hate and division. The only way forward is for us as humanity to work together, and consider an attack on any of us, as an attack on all of us.”

Archbishop Angaelos of London delivers address at International Religious Freedom Conference in Washington DC

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Archbishop Angaelos of London delivers address at International Religious Freedom Conference in Washington DC 

7 December 2017 

A three-day conference was held from 4-6 December 2017 in Washington, DC, on the “Persecution of Christians in the Holy Lands and the Middle East: Consequences and Solutions.” The 3rd Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom, sponsored by the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, was attended by government officials, human rights activists, academics, and religious leaders, among whom was Archbishop Angaelos of London. Speakers included, among others, an array of Church leaders and representatives, senators, congressmen, advocates, professors, and media personnel. Sessions included the “History of the Christian Church” focusing on the disappearance of Christians from the birthplace of Christianity, “Persecution of Christians and Possible Solutions,” “Freedoms of Religion and the Press,” and “Sacred Sites and Property Rights.”

In his address, Archbishop Angaelos of London spoke about the need to recognise basic human rights that should be afforded to all, saying:

“Life is not a privilege, it is a right. Dignity is not a privilege, it is a right. Existence and tolerance are not an option. We need to raise our expectations so we can offer the persecuted so much more.” ​

Speaking about the extent of religious freedom violations worldwide, the Archbishop went on to stress the need for collaboration: 

“This is an international epidemic and exceeds the ability of any single person, organisation, faith, and even nation state to fix. This needs a collaborative response that brings together policy makers, religious leaders, and civic society, bringing all of our abilities together, all that God gives us, to represent them.”

Addressing members of the Christian Faith directly, he continued: 

“We hear the stories of the saints in our Churches, in our Liturgies every day, but persecution is still happening. It happened on our screens. We saw it before us.”

“Sisters and brothers, this should no longer happen on our watch, because as they are cut, we bleed. As members of the same Body, we need to stop using the language of the ‘Church of the East’ and ‘Church of the West’. There is only one Body for us. It rejoices as one, it mourns as one, it also struggles as one.”

Highlighting the need to safeguard God-given rights and freedoms he said: 

“Under article 18 of the Universal Charter of Human Rights, we are told that everyone shall have a right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Inalienable rights; rights that no one should take away. God gives us the right to accept or, indeed, to reject Him, so who are we to impose Him on others based on our own ideology? Who is anyone to tell me what to believe and what not to believe? Who is anyone to take away the right that God, God the Omnipotent, has given me?”

Explaining the Christian responsibility to advocate for all, Archbishop Angaelos said: 

“Whether the persecution is against a Coptic Christian, an Orthodox Christian of any sort, a Catholic, an Evangelical, or even a Rohingya, a Baha’i, or a Sufi, this is abhorrent in the eyes of God. God gave us all His image and His likeness equally. He calls us to be advocates for that image and that likeness and for that sanctity of life equally. We cannot stand with any kind of credibility advocating for our own if something happens to my neighbour and I question whether or not I am “my brother’s keeper?” The answer in the Scriptures is ‘of course I am.’ We are not only our brothers’ keepers; we are our brothers’ advocates, and we must never let them suffer alone.”​ 

Lastly he spoke a word to the perpetrators of persecution, reiterating messages of forgiveness spoken of in past addresses and statements: 

“Recently some of you may have heard that I issued a statement after our own brothers and sisters in Egypt were brutally shot. It was a message to the perpetrators saying, ‘You are loved. Your actions are abhorrent and detestable, but you are loved by my God, and by me, and by millions like me, because you have the same nature, image, and likeness as me.’ We pray that God, Who speaks to their hearts, brings them to a place where their eyes are opened and they see the sanctity of life, and turn away from seeing other humans as mere commodities.”

Those who spoke on the same panel as Archbishop Angaelos included, Archbishop Dionysius John Kawak, Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar, Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of the Eastern United States, Johny (cq) Messo, president of the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs), Anna Koulouris, Communications Advisor, Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and the Very Reverend Fr. Isaac Crow, Antiochian Orthodox Church. 

Archbishop Angaelos presented gifts of Coptic Orthodox icons to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, and other members of the conference. 

*Ends* 

For more information please visit: http://conference.archons.org      

For photographs: https://www.flickr.com/photos/goarch/with/38860211711/           

For the full address by Archbishop Angaelos visit: Youtube.com/CopticMediaUK            

Key statistic: While about 30 percent of the world’s population identifies as Christian, the International Society for Human Rights notes that 80 percent of all acts of religious discrimination are directed at Christians.

Report: At annual Coptic Nayrouz Service, HG Bishop Angaelos addresses religious freedom violations around the world

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REPORT

At annual Coptic New Year celebration,

HG Bishop Angaelos addresses religious freedom violations around the world

 [View photographs from the service via www.Flickr.com/CopticMedia]

19 October 2017  

On 17 October 2017, messages from Her Majesty The Queen, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister and the Archbishop of Canterbury, were read at the Coptic New Year (Nayrouz) Service held annually in St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey.

Addresses were also delivered by Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, The Lord Alton of Liverpool, The Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales and The Right Honourable Alistair Burt MP, Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, and Minister of State for International Development.

A welcome was given by The Reverend Canon Jane Sinclair, Canon of Westminster & Rector of St Margaret’s, and the service was officiated by His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom.

In his sermon, which focused on the prospect of new beginnings, Bishop Angaelos said:

“As we celebrate the lives of the faithful, we have a chance to start afresh, and to look at any opportunity for a new beginning of any sort.

It is important for us to do two things at this juncture: to look, assess, and repeat the wonderful things that have been done, and to look at what may have been left undone; things that may have gone unrealised, unchecked, and unaddressed.”

His Grace went on to say:

“In light of Matthew chapter 9, it is far too easy to attempt to merely patch over issues when they seem too complex to address. We must change our approach and address root causes. This applies of course to us as individuals, as societies, religious institutions, and nations.”

Touching on matters of religious persecution around the world, His Grace said:

“Over these past months, we have seen so much in terms of religious persecution, whether it be in relation to the Coptic Christians in Egypt, Christians in the Middle East, the wider Africa, or around the world, people suffer daily.

Gatherings like this that we take as a simple right, are an impossible and unrealised privilege for some in our world today. So this evening we remember and pray for them, realising that it is important for us to support those who want to believe, whatever their belief is!”

Speaking of religious freedom more generally, he said:

“If God respects humanity enough to empower us all with a freedom of choice, who are we to decide who has the right to believe or not believe?

The Christian message has as its ultimate strength, the ability with which it can consciously and actively love and even forgive those who not only persecute, but kill us. That is what sets this apart. It is not because we are better than anyone else but because it is what we are called to do.” 

Highlighting the diverse nature of British society, he went on to say:

“The gathering in this church this evening resembles the beautiful mosaic that is British life; from religious leaders to political leaders, social activists and human rights defenders, to members of the general public, we all work together. Together we should use whatever platform or gift we have to further this message.

It is a tragedy if we feel there is nothing we can do, because the reality is that there is never a darkness that cannot be broken by the slightest light, and there is never a problem that cannot be addressed even if not fully resolved.”

Closing with a message of hope, from the book of Isaiah 43:19, he concluded:

“Today we can be confident that God will always be our Way along even the loneliest of journeys, and He will always be the spring of life in the most oppressive drought.”

In his address, Lord Bourne spoke of the engagement of the Coptic Orthodox community in the United Kingdom, highlighting various ministries including youth work, and homeless ministries.

Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, who recently celebrated the Jewish New Year, said the following in his address:

“I stand here, a Rabbi from the Jewish community from a fellow faith, in solidarity…

…Therefore in these painful and frightening times when so many of these relationships are ruptured and require our urgent and prolonged keen attention we must remember our purpose here on earth, and together articulate our shared faith, hopes and tasks, not just in our places of prayer but in the public square and in the media. Together we must act for the well-being of every individual human for we all carry God’s sacred spirit and all in a differing, unique and special way.”

The Lord Alton of Liverpool spoke of religious freedom violations, calling for the same rights for all, saying:

“As Bishop Angaelos reminded us earlier, [religious freedom] is not just something we demand for the Coptic community but for all…

…In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in Article 18 it spells out the right of every human being on this planet to believe, not to believe, or to change their belief. Well it is with this in mind that we gather here tonight to show our solidarity with an ancient Church, which plays both an integral part of Egyptian life but also a much loved part of British life and society.

It is because of the power of the Cross, not knives and guns and bombs, that we gather here tonight. It is for that reason, despite tragedy and sadness that we can commemorate and celebrate the new year and commit ourselves to continue to work for values based on mutual respect, co-existence and freedom of religion or belief.”

The Right Honourable Alistair Burt MP, spoke of the beauty and diversity of the Middle East and the people of all faiths within its region, while also highlighting the struggles faced by many within it, saying:

“There are many joys in returning to the role of Minister for the Middle East, to share a bit of time in the region I have come to love and to value its diversity and culture, the things that are not often spoken of in the news; to share as a person of faith the opportunity to listen to the sounds of the Middle East, in mosque, in synagogue and in church and to recognise that the ear picks up much that is similar between the sounds of those of those who worship, to recognise a common humanity in its spirituality searching and reaching out for God.”

Going on to speak about the powerful impact of forgiveness, and human compassion shared by people of all faiths in the midst of persecution, he concluded:

“…As we celebrate Naryouz with you, and we remember the martyrs, we reflect on what you have said for a new opportunity that we have, let it be a new opportunity not just for the region but for the world to reflect a bit more, to build dialogue, to end the conflicts between faiths, so that as we gather year by year we will have less to regret, and forgive and more to celebrate and be joyful about.”

Joining members of the Coptic community at the service were international royalty, members of the House of Lords, the Office of the Prime Minister, House of Commons, the Foreign Commonwealth Office, the Diplomatic Corps, the Home Office, humanitarian and advocacy organisations, and various ecumenical, and inter-religious guests.

*Ends*

 View photographs from the service via www.Flickr.com/CopticMedia

HRH The Prince of Wales highlights the plight of minorities suffering religious persecution worldwide

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HRH The Prince of Wales highlights the plight of minorities
suffering religious persecution worldwide

22 December 2016

His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, has spoken out today for minorities suffering religious persecution in a video message for Aid to the Church in Need and on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Thought for the Day’.

During his message, His Royal Highness spoke about the persecution of Christians and religious minorities, saying that for many “religious freedom is a daily stark choice between life and death. The scale of religious persecution is not widely appreciated…in some countries even more insidious forms of extremism have recently surfaced which aim to eliminate all types of religious diversity.” He went on to speak about the vast numbers of people displaced as a result of religious persecution in their homelands, and their ongoing struggle as they seek refuge elsewhere.

This message comes just one week after the brutal bombing and killing of 27 people, mostly women and children, in St Peter’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo, targeted purely for their Christian belief. In response to the bombing, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales wrote a letter of condolence to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St Mark, also offering his condolence in person to His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, at a private meeting at Clarence House on 14 December 2016.

In December 2013 His Royal Highness visited The Coptic Orthodox Church Centre in the United Kingdom to express his support for Christians suffering persecution across the Middle East.

*Ends*

HG Bishop Angaelos speaks outside Coptic Cathedral of Saint George for #RedWednesday

His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, speaks outside the Coptic Cathedral of Saint George about Red Wednesday, a day in which the plight of those denied their religious freedom is highlighted. #RedWednesday www.ACNUK.org

Statement by HG Bishop Angaelos on International Religious Freedom Day 2016

Copyright:Photograph by Roger Anis

Statement by

His Grace Bishop Angaelos

General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church

in the United Kingdom

International Religious Freedom Day 2016

27 October 2016

As we mark International Religious Freedom Day, it is becoming more apparent that the Freedom of Religion or Belief is not only desirable, but fundamental to our ability as humanity to peacefully co-exist, and live with God-given dignity irrespective of our religious or non-religious convictions.

Regardless of what many may want to believe, religion is not only hugely significant, but fundamentally core to the vast majority of the world’s population. Accordingly, the opportunity to have and practice one’s religion unencumbered, and without imposition on others, is a right that must be protected for all those who believe and practice peacefully and faithfully.

Our world is struggling to promote, and indeed maintain, God-given freedoms that have been enshrined in numerous international charters and conventions for decades, such as Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a result we continue to witness violations against communities around the globe, and for that reason it is now that governments, faith leaders, civil society, NGOs and all in positions of leadership or influence must stand together in solidarity to address the problems that threaten further violations against the most vulnerable, and lead to the destabilisation of our global community.

Collaboration remains our best tool in combatting intolerance and injustice, and providing hope at a time when fear, anxiety and hopelessness are increasingly overtaking our general state of being and perspective.

The Christian message is one of hope, and at these times of seemingly increasing darkness, that Gospel message of hope and promise is most needed. God has graciously and indiscriminately bestowed humanity with the freedom to choose or reject Him, and did not make His image and likeness, the right to dignity or the basic right to exist, conditional upon choosing Him. It is upon that foundation that we must accept one another’s diversity, and advocate for all who are denied the right and freedom to practice their chosen faith, or none.

The oppression and persecution of religious minorities across the Middle East and beyond has unfortunately become an all-too-familiar occurrence. As a result, many have become either desensitised or disheartened by the ongoing struggle. We must not lose heart however, but take opportunities such as today, to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves, to advocate for those who find themselves without a champion, and to challenge all who seek to justify injustice. Following in the footsteps of our Lord, we must endeavour, to the best of our ability, to “proclaim liberty to the captives…recovery of sight to the blind…[and] set at liberty those who are oppressed…” (Luke 4:18).

Each and every one of us can make a difference, so let us take the opportunity on International Religious Freedom Day to work in whatever capacity we can to safeguard the basic God-given rights and freedoms of those we encounter on a daily basis, and those we see suffering from afar. When we advocate for others we inevitably advocate for the whole of humanity, ourselves and our own included.

Trusting in the faithfulness of our heavenly Father, we pray that He continues to use all who are willing to spread the message of hope, light, forgiveness, and peace to those who are so desperately in need of it in our world today. 

*Ends*

Press Release: HG Bishop Angaelos delivers address during historic Foreign Commonwealth Office conference highlighting importance of Freedom of Religion or Belief

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HG Bishop Angaelos delivers address during historic Foreign Commonwealth Office conference highlighting importance of Freedom of Religion or Belief

25 October 2016

The Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) hosted a ground-breaking 2-day summit 19-20 October which brought together more than 50 expert speakers, including His Grace Bishop Angaelos, and over 170 participants from 38 countries, to explore how the promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) can help prevent violent extremism.

In the opening address during the conference, FCO Minister for Human Rights, The Rt Hon. the Baroness Anelay of St Johns DBE, said:

“Freedom of Religion or Belief is fundamental to a successful society. It builds resilience against the prejudice, discrimination and persecution that not only prevents a society from achieving its full economic potential but also leaves it vulnerable to extremism.   

That is why it is so important that we work together now to put freedom of religion or belief at the heart of our effort to prevent violent extremism.”  

 

In his address, His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, said:

“It is time for us to rethink the dynamic and the way in which we communicate because the world is no longer a place in which politicians, religious leaders, civil society, and NGOs should function separately. Nor is it a place that can allow for any nationalist agenda to override the human right. We all need to work in collaboration to present a nuanced understanding of who we are as today’s international community.” 

Highlighting the importance of respecting people of all faiths and none, Bishop Angaelos continued:

“We cannot speak of regions as being religious. A religion is something that we live by and does not define geographic borders. We must also push beyond the understanding of tolerance, because as a Christian, I cannot accept ‘tolerance’ as my benchmark; the Scriptures actually call us to love, respect, honour, and forgive indiscriminately. As religious leaders we need to support one another in advocating for people of faith and, indeed, of no faith.”

Following the FCO conference, over 100 participants joined the Coptic community at the annual Nayrouz service in St Margaret’s, Westminster Abbey on 20 October 2016. FoRB was highlighted during the sermon by Bishop Angaelos and messages received from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Prime Minister Theresa May, and the Most Rev. and the Rt Hon. the Archbishop of Canterbury. Issues of FoRB were also raised in addresses delivered by HE Ambassador David Saperstein, USA Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, The Lord Alton of Liverpool, HE Ambassador Nasser Kamel, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the United Kingdom, and The Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities. [Read full report containing quotes and photographs HERE].

In 2015 Bishop Angaelos was conferred the honour of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for ‘Services to International Religious Freedom’ by Her Majesty The Queen.

*Ends*

Report: Messages from HRH The Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister and the Archbishop of Canterbury received as religious freedom is highlighted in annual Coptic New Year (Nayrouz) Service at Westminster Abbey.

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Report

Messages from HRH The Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister and the Archbishop of Canterbury received as religious freedom is highlighted in annual Coptic New Year (Nayrouz) Service at Westminster Abbey.

24 October 2016

Messages were received from HRH The Prince of Wales, the Prime Minister and the Archbishop of Canterbury as religious freedom was highlighted at the annual Coptic New Year (Nayrouz) Service at St Margaret’s, Westminster Abbey. Addresses were also delivered by HE Ambassador David Saperstein, The Lord Alton of Liverpool, HE Ambassador Nasser Kamel and The Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth.

Joining members of the Coptic community at the service were members of the House of Lords, House of Commons, the Diplomatic Corps, the Foreign Commonwealth Office, the Home Office, humanitarian and advocacy organisations, and various ecumenical, inter-religious guests. The service commenced with a welcome by the Reverend Canon Jane Sinclair, Canon of Westminster & Rector of St Margaret’s.

In his sermon, His Grace Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom said:

“The Gospel reading today reminds us that we have a responsibility to proclaim the good news, to set captives free and to be light and sight to those who may live in darkness and blindness, whether because of their own doing, or because of the imposition of others. That is our calling and how we are meant to live as Christians.”

“…we must reclaim the narrative itself, for the narrative is good and gracious. It is actually the counter-narrative that works against our humanity. Once we declare our efforts as the counter-narrative then the norm is defined as evil, conflict, destruction, death and oppression.”

“It has undoubtedly been a challenging year with the referendum, news of wars, oppression, homelessness, displacement, and presidential elections; there is so much to destabilise us, but what is our core? Our core is our Faith; the Good News.”

“We are graced and blessed by many non-Christians at this service, and it does not shame or embarrass me to tell you that my Faith gives me joy, because this joy that I have is meant to be shared with you…just as your joy becomes mine.”

“I am a Christian, and by the grace of God I will remain a Christian and I rejoice in my message and in my Faith, and that surely is a right that I must be able to enjoy regardless of the fact that there are many who are not Christians, and they too rejoice in their faith. That is the spirit and humanity we are aiming for, a humanity that rejoices in, celebrates, edifies and protects all.”  

“How can I stay silent in seeing the oppression of others when I have tasted that bitterness and seen that affliction and persecution. We have all suffered in our own ways and so therefore we are all mandated to speak out for others in our own ways.”

“Today as we start this year, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon us’; we are anointed, mandated and sent into this world as hope, light and promise. It is God in us Who enables us to do this, and so today we really do stand together in this sacred place, with the saints, in unity of heart. Let nothing take that away from us, and let nothing defeat that spirit that allows us to defeat all that seeks to silence us.”

Following prayers for the persecuted and martyrs of the Christian Faith, a message from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales was read by The Right Reverend Geoffrey Rowell and Mr Jonathan Hellewell LVO, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister read a message from The Right Honourable Theresa May, Prime Minister.

In a message addressed to Bishop Angaelos from The Most Rev. and the Rt Hon. the Archbishop of Canterbury, read by The Right Reverend Nigel Stock, Bishop at Lambeth, he said:

“Your community is a suffering community. Who can forget those young men so brutally murdered in Libya, or what your Church must endure from time to time in your homeland. Yet you speak of the forgiveness of Christ and look always for that which helps the peace of God be known.”

“Thank you for your friendship in the gatherings of Church leaders of this country and your willingness to be so constructive in relationships between Churches.”

“I hope and pray that we can increase the love and understanding between our churches that we may draw nearer to our Lord’s desire that ‘all may be one’.”

Following the messages, an address was given by HE Ambassador David Saperstein, USA Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, who said:

“Amongst many of the worshippers who are here this evening are a number of experts in and advocates of religious freedom who gathered at a conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief, sponsored by the Foreign Office and it is fitting that at the conclusion many chose to be part of this congregation. That the Coptic calendar is dated from Diocletian’s reign, when precisely it was because under his rule that Egypt’s Christians suffered the most severe persecution speaks directly to the cause of all of us who care about religious freedom.”

“Given many of the violations of religious freedom that we see in the world today, they are structural, systemic, long-standing, and we must acknowledge that there are few quick-fix solutions to these entrenched challenges. This struggle is about changing people’s minds, changing people’s hearts, working to convince governments, leaders, citizens, that their societies will become more stable, prosperous and successful by ensuring equality and full inclusion for members of all religious communities including minority religious communities.”

“As we commemorate this New Year…let us all make the pledge to make real the dream and hope of freedom not only for the Coptic community, for all, to all the religiously oppressed in every land who live in fear, afraid to speak of what they believe in…this call for the New Year calls us to be a beacon of hope and light, of equality and justice of a future filled with true freedom.”

The Lord Alton of Liverpool commented on the historic role that Egypt played in providing refuge to those fleeing religious persecution, saying:

“Egypt had been home to Jesus Himself, after his refugee family fled the slaughter of the holy innocents and found a safe and secure home in a welcoming Egypt: surely a story with significance for these troubled times.”

“If such deaths are to mean anything, we who are drawn from our different faiths and traditions must faithfully rededicate ourselves to work for the universal freedom of religion or belief that is set out in article 18 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That is surely the inspiration that we should take away from this beautiful Nayrouz service and from a two-day [FCO] conference that we have just been reminded about.”

HE Ambassador Nasser Kamel, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the United Kingdom, said in his address:

“It is indeed an honour for me to participate today as the Ambassador of Egypt in our commemoration and celebration of the Coptic Feast of Nayrouz, to honour all those who have sacrificed so much, including their lives, for their Faith. Their courage and unwavering dedication to their Faith in the face of oppression and tyranny continue to serve as an example to humanity.”

“We are indeed indebted to the martyrs of Egypt, they shone as beacons of light and gave the people strength in their Faith.”

“From this great church, this place of worship, I want to stress that peace and harmony, and most importantly co-existence, should be the guiding value of any civilised society.”

“We are also proud as Egyptians that Egypt has the largest Christian community in the Middle East, and we intend to keep on working to create and enhance a conducive environment for all Egyptians to prosper and reach their full potential regardless of their faith, and we hope that those who insist on building walls or spreading a culture of fear in the Middle East, or beyond, will come to understand that our only hope as humans is to live together in peace and harmony.”

The Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities, said:

“We are also here to reflect on those who do not share the same freedom of religion and belief as we do here. The Coptic Christian Faith has, as His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has said, much to teach us about the power of turning the other cheek even during immense suffering.”

“His Grace [Bishop Angaelos] through his tireless work has also reminded us that we, who do have a voice, must use it for those who cannot use theirs. These are troubling times, with so much suffering and it’s easy to feel helpless but each of us can make a difference, can change lives. Little deeds can lead to great moments.”

“Tonight we have been reminded that many around the world face persecution and death simply for having a different faith. It would be easy for us to see this simply as an international problem, a problem for others, but it would be naïve and a great mistake for us to assume that the international stays international. Our communities here do not live in isolation from events abroad and sadly prejudices and fears do not stop at borders.”

“As the Integration and Faith Minister, I am committed to improving our communities, to ensuring that bridges are built between communities and that this is a country for everyone. I make that oath to you tonight and ask you to join me in committing to fight to ensure that marginalised voices are heard and that people can follow their faith or belief free from fear, no matter where they live.”

Prior to the service, the Foreign Commonwealth Office hosted a ground-breaking 2-day summit from 19-20 October which brought together more than 50 expert speakers, including His Grace Bishop Angaelos, and over 170 participants from 38 countries, to explore how Freedom of Religion or Belief can help prevent violent extremism and identify opportunities to work together. Over 100 of those participants joined the Coptic community at the annual Nayrouz service in St Margaret’s, Westminster Abbey on 20 October 2016.