I’ve had the opportunity to learn a great deal about Egypt’s past as a nation and as a religious inspiration throughout the world.

I’ve studied battles that took place in the streets of Alexandria and I know that the Egyptians are no strangers to urban unrest. And when I see the people in the streets, I can’t help but think that this is a continuing struggle that has recurred over and over throughout the centuries.

Egypt is, in many ways, a touchstone of civilization. Even now, when they lack the wealth of their neighbors and aren’t considered a great military power, their long history and strategic importance still command our attention. And our respect. My heart breaks not only for the loss of human life, but for the damage done in the museum on Friday. How moving it was to see the human chain that people formed around their national treasures to protect them in the unrest.

Egypt, as always, is a place of tragedy and triumph.

In the coming days I may have more to say about what is happening there, but at the moment I wanted to point in the direction of a few links about Isis–because right now, Egypt seems in need of a faithful and loving mother.