In times of horrifying intolerance and terrorism, the Church needs to resort to wisdom and discernment in responding to death and suffering

By Mike Kuhn

In the deadliest attack of its kind ever committed on Egyptian soil, Islamic militants killed over 300 worshippers, including 27 children, in a mosque in the north Sinai and wounded an additional 128 (Friday, 24 November 2017). After detonating a bomb during Friday prayers, gunmen positioned outside the mosque in off-road vehicles proceeded to fire indiscriminately upon worshippers as they fled in panic. Gunmen also fired on ambulances attempting to access the site of the massacre. The attack took place at Al Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abed, west of El Arish, the main city in North Sinai.

Though no group has claimed responsibility, Egyptian security forces have been battling the Sinai ISIS affiliate for months, a battle that has claimed the lives of hundreds of police and soldiers. This same group downed a Russian passenger jet in provenance from Sharm al-Sheikh in 2015, killing 224. The group’s origins can be traced to a local militant organization, Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis (“Supporters of Jerusalem”), with ties to al-Qaeda. In 2014, the group declared allegiance to ISIS – alternately Daesh, ISIL or the Islamic State – becoming known as Wilayat al-Sinai (“Governate of Sinai”).

The attack signals a shift in strategy for the militants whose normal pattern is to strike police and military outposts, as well as Christians gathered in churches or en route to pilgrimage sites. It is noteworthy that the mosque was a gathering point for Sufi Muslims, a sect which emphasizes an inward, mystical spirituality that often includes the reverence of saints and shrines, practices condemned as idolatrous by ISIS.

Egyptian President Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi declared that Egypt’s military will respond with utmost force and retaliatory attacks had been launched within hours by Egypt’s security forces. As Syria and Iraq are witnessing the defeat of ISIS, it is critical to recall that the group has not disbanded but is regrouping in far-flung areas, including Libya and Malaysia, even as it instigates attacks in the West through internet and media. Though the group proclaims itself to be a re-invigoration of the ancient Caliphate of Islam, mainstream Sunni Muslims have denounced ISIS and its terrorism with unanimity.

As a Christian organization dedicated to seeking and propagating truth concerning the Middle East, the Institute of Middle East Studies suggests Christians consider the following in their reaction to religiously inspired violence and ISIS in particular:

• Militant groups have targeted and killed more Muslims than any other religious group. In fact, Global Research has determined that 87-92% of terrorism-related fatalities over the past five years where the religion of the victim could be determined have been Muslims. This is not to minimize the horrific nature of Christian, Yazidi and other fatalities. Any such death is repugnant. However, it is critical that Christians recall the suffering Muslims have endured for years as victims of militant groups.
• Muslims, both Sunni and Shiite, have condemned these terrorist attacks. The claim that Muslims are not distancing themselves from ISIS and its affiliates can no longer be sustained, if ever it could.
• Fear of Islam, often generated by the media buzz surrounding terrorist actions, is counterproductive to the task of peacebuilding in our conflict-ridden world and unbecoming a Christ-follower.
• Islam has great affinity with the Christian faith. The Qur’an revers Jesus as well as Biblical prophets such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and David. Though very significant issues divide us, there remains much that we can agree on in order to build bridges of trust and peaceful co-existence.
• Finally, as Jesus taught, let us pray “Thy Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Our desire is not only that Christian lives be spared the horrors of terrorism, but also that Muslims and all people live in peace and tranquility.

Please see the IMES blog for further suggestions as to how Christians can respond to religious violence.