Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Dr. Nājih Ibrāhīm, a key founder of the Jamā’ah Islāmīyah in Egypt and the first chairman of its shūrá (consultative) council, offered an apology to Copts for “what has befallen them as a result of the Jamā’ah’s mistakes during the 1970s and 1980s”. [Robeir al-Fāris, Watanī, March 4, p. 5] Read original text in Arabic

Kamāl Zākhir Mūsá writes about the principle of citizenship and mechanisms to put it in place in light of the 3^rd laymen conference a week ago, that hopefully would pave the way for better citizenship in the future. Mūsá, praised the conference participants and described them as stars whose participations were vital, clear and objective.

The article chronicles the appearance of famous dā‘iyahs in Egypt and covers the on-going struggle between the new dā‘iyahs and Salafis to take over the status of the publicly-adored dā‘iyah. The absence of an effective role of the Azhar is also questioned.

Rose al-Yūsuf reports about different opinions regarding the recent decision to ban books written by Jamāl al-Bannā.

The article lists comments made on some of the author’s e-articles published on the Web. The comments reflect the author’s opinion on the appearance of the new dā‘iyahs and the strategies they follow to gain access into the public’s preferences.

Wā’il Lutfī discusses the fatwà issued by Dr. Muhammad Shawqī al-Fanjarī about zakāh for oil production.

In the interview Marzūq Awlād ‘Abdullah, professor of Islamic studies at Amsterdam University, stresses that dialogue is the means through which Muslims can make the West recognize their existence. He says that the Western media plays a major role in increasing anti-Islamic sentiments. However, he adds, there are many Islamic institutions in the Netherlands.

The author criticizes the trend of Egyptians towards blindly imitating the West, taking their worst behaviors and fads and leaving behind their best qualities.

Dr. Mustafá al-Shak‘ah stresses the importance of developing education in the Azhar institution.

‘Abd al-Latīf Fāyid writes about the importance of developing education in Egypt.