The Australian Hellenic Council (AHC) has formally expressed concern to the Egyptian Ambassador in Canberra over the recent controversy surrounding the status of Saint Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai, while also welcoming the Egyptian government’s subsequent reassurance that the monastery’s sacred and legal status remains protected.
In a letter sent to the Ambassador today, the AHC conveyed its “deep disappointment and concern regarding the recent decision by the Egyptian government to seize the historic Monastery of Saint Catherine on Mount Sinai and appropriate its assets.”
“Saint Catherine’s Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has stood as a beacon of Christian spirituality, scholarship, and interfaith respect for over 1700 years,” the letter read.
“Its uninterrupted operation and the protection of its privileges throughout centuries have long been a testament to Egypt’s commitment to religious tolerance and cultural preservation.”
The AHC also highlighted the site’s significance for the Greek community in Australia and globally, stating that the monastery is held in “profound esteem, not only for its religious significance but also for its role in fostering dialogue and understanding between the Christian and Muslim worlds.”
While the AHC noted that historically, relations between the Greek and Egyptian peoples have been ones “of mutual respect, cultural exchange, and enduring friendship,” it warned that the recent developments “risk casting a shadow over this cherished relationship.”
The Council urged the Egyptian government to “reconsider this course and to restore the monastery’s historic autonomy and assets,” and called for the issue to be resolved “in a spirit of dialogue, justice, and mutual respect.”
Since the time of the AHC’s letter, the Egyptian government has issued a series of clarifications through both the Presidency and Foreign Ministry, firmly denying claims of expropriation or threat to the monastery.
In a statement, the Presidency of the Republic reaffirmed “its full commitment to preserving the unique and sacred religious status of St. Catherine’s Monastery” and emphasised that the recent court ruling consolidates this status. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry further clarified that reports of seizure were “completely unfounded,” and that the court decision respected the monastery’s religious and archaeological importance.
The AHC has since welcomed Egypt’s official response, stating that such clarification is a positive and constructive step toward maintaining the historical and spiritual significance of Saint Catherine’s Monastery.
