Churches for Middle East Peace's (CMEP) executive director, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, led a small interfaith delegation of Christian and Islamic leaders to Egypt between April 5-8, 2025. Meetings in Egypt included conversations with religious and political leaders for the purpose of discussing the role international religious leaders can play in calling for an end to all violence, especially the devastating toll of ongoing bombing and military incursions by the Israeli military in Gaza and the West Bank. In the meeting with Egypt’s Foreign Minister, His Excellency Badr Abdellatty, CMEP expressed appreciation for the role of Egypt and other Arab nations in encouraging a return to the ceasefire agreement and negotiations. CMEP has consistently called for a permanent ceasefire, an end to all violence by state and militant actors, the release of hostages held in Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners held unjustly by Israel. Only a return to negotiations will determine a lasting solution that will allow for the rebuilding of Gaza, lasting resolutions that will break the ongoing cycles of violence between Hamas and Israel, and bring an end to the occupation of the Palestinian people and security for Israelis and all living in the region. In addition to meetings with government officials, CMEP was honored to meet in Cairo with His Excellency Muhammad adh-Dhuwaini, Deputy Head of the Islamic Council of Al-Azhar, and Minister of Islamic Endowments Dr. Osama al-Azhari. Meetings with Christian leaders included Rev. Dr. Andrea Zaki of CEOSS and His Eminence Nicolas H.M.D. Thevenin. CMEP is committed to interfaith engagement and partnerships with leaders of all Abrahamic and other faiths who are people of goodwill committed to peace, recognizing the common humanity of all and working to end the ongoing atrocities having such devastating effects on the civilian population in Gaza. These meetings underscored the essential role of interreligious collaboration in the pursuit of peace and justice throughout the Middle East. The delegation also met with Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Ambassador Khaled el-Bakly. At the heart of these meetings was a shared conviction: that peace can only be achieved through the protection of human dignity and adherence to the international rules-based order. In a time when children and civilians throughout the Middle East are being killed with impunity, when hospitals, ambulances, humanitarian personnel, and places of refuge are being bombed in violation of international law, all people must raise their collective voices in moral and spiritual outrage. If Israel, Hamas, and Western powers that continue to arm the ongoing violence continue to abandon international norms and human rights in this moment, future generations in the Middle East will grow up having witnessed the total erosion of global diplomatic efforts and the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. This moral collapse will not go without long-term consequences that will have devastating effects on all people in the region, and ultimately in the world. The very future is at stake, with seeds of violence being planted and fueled by the trauma and devastation unfolding daily in Gaza. CMEP reaffirms its deep concern about the intensifying humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the blatant disregard for international humanitarian law that contributes to the dehumanization, harm, and death of Palestinians in the enclave. The indiscriminate bombing of medical facilities, the targeting of aid workers, and the failure to protect civilians are not only violations of international legal obligations — they are affronts to our shared moral conscience. Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon says, “CMEP acknowledges Egypt’s continued role in mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel and its leadership in facilitating ceasefire negotiations. We also recognize Egypt’s vital involvement in planning for the eventual reconstruction of Gaza, which must be rooted in justice, accountability, and Palestinian agency. Gaza, the Palestinians, Israel, and the entire region need not only Arab states but the world to stand together to demand an end to the ongoing Israeli invasion of Gaza and a return to a ceasefire that will become permanent. Negotiations are the only way forward toward a lasting peace.” CMEP remains committed to working in partnership with religious, political, and civil society leaders across the region to promote a vision of peace built not on militarization or domination but on human dignity, reconciliation, and shared responsibility. |
