Mags Gargan
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin meets Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria on his visit to Dublin Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has expressed his “humanitarian concern” for Ibrahim Halawa, an Irish citizen still awaiting trial in Egypt after four years of imprisonment.
The Archbishop of Dublin used the visit of Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria as an opportunity to highlight the 21-year-old’s case in front of the Egyptian ambassador during a meeting at Archbishop’s House.
“Many people in Ireland are concerned about an Irish citizen, Ibrahim Halawa, awaiting trial in Egypt and we share the humanitarian concern of his family who are well known to us,” Dr Martin said – a sentiment echoed by President Michael D. Higgins after he met with Pope Tawadros.
Archbishop Martin said the presence of the Coptic Pope “calls all of us to pray for peace in your country and in the region where Jesus Christ once walked”.
“We are very aware of the suffering that your Coptic community has endured even in recent weeks and we assure you of our prayerful solidarity. We pray that your country can become a beacon in the region for freedom of religion and for dialogue among all believers especially with our Muslims sisters and brothers,” he said.
Respect
“We pray for peace in your country and for prosperity of all its citizens based on respect for the rights of every individual, the unity of the human family and the safeguarding of creation.”
The principal aim of the first visit by a Coptic Pope to Ireland was to bless and dedicate St Maximus and St Domadios Coptic Orthodox Church in Drumcondra, the former St Alphonsus Church.
The trial of Mr Halawa, the son of a prominent Muslim cleric in Dublin, Sheikh Hussein Halawa, has recently been delayed for the 23rd time.
Imprisoned
He was imprisoned after being detained in a mosque near Ramses Square in Cairo as the Muslim Brotherhood protested over the removal of elected president Mohamed Morsi in August 2013.