The German government was appalled to hear the news of the attack on the St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Cairo, reported deputy government spokesperson Ulrike Demmer. They strongly condemn this cowardly and perfidious crime, which cost many people their lives.

Sowing the seeds of discord and hatred

The German government expressed its deep sympathy to those injured in the attack and to the families of those killed. It sent its condolences to the Egyptian government, President Al Sisi and Pope Tawadros II, Coptic Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, Ulrike Demmer continued.

The government spokesperson said, "This attack is an attempt to prevent the different religions living together peacefully in Egypt, and to sow the seeds of discord, hatred and enmity in Egyptian society." The German government has faith that Egypt’s society will not let itself be divided in this way.

An attempt to thwart peaceful coexistence

Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also condemned the terrorist attack in the strongest possible terms, along with the attacks on security forces in Cairo and Kafr El-Sheikh last week. Germany, he said, remembers the victims and grieves with their families.

He continued, "The fact that the Prophet’s birthday was chosen for an insidious attack on Christian worshippers shows the perfidious calculation behind the plan of the perpetrators and those pulling the strings to undermine the peaceful coexistence of people of different faiths through terrorist violence. We must do everything we can to ensure that they do not succeed."