Brazil

The number of Christians is seriously diminishing in Arab countries. Conflicts in the region are behind their collective emigration.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he is seeking to hold an international conference with terror-hit countries to explore the best ways of combating terrorism. He added that al-Qā‘ida and similar organizations have targeted 26 countries since 1993.

This article is a description of the international growth of the Coptic Orthodox Church over the course of history.

The article presents a brief overview of the most important events

that have happened in Egyptian churches during 2006.

A Brazilian

Christian missionary distributed an e-mail with a story about the miraculous resurrection of a buried child that

earlier had been discredited in an Egyptian publication. Nik Grossfield asks for care. As the Preacher says in

Proverbs 15, “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.”

Hulsman highlights a number of major reports that were placed in week 53, all belonging to closing the year 2006 for AWR. This week had been delayed because of the substantial amount of editing and checking that had been needed. This week includes the transcript of the lecture of former Dutch Prime Minister Prof. Andreas van Agt on cultural changes in north-Western Europe, a study of Dr. Mary Picard about Saint Dimyānah and the different views between Western scholars and Coptic clergy looking at history and tradition. Nik Grosfield present an interesting study on how easily miraculous stories are accepted and believed if they fit in someone’s frame of reference.

Salwa Refaat wrote the National Egyptian Heritage Foundation( NEHRA), the Ministries of Culture and

Environment and

the Antiquities Authority made great efforts to revive the sites on the Holy path.

On the same page was an

interview with Mr. Mounir Gabbour, Chairman of

NEHRA.


In: "The Holy Book" article, Bishop Daniel of Maadi

spoke of the historical

importance of the Virgin Mary Church in Maadi. Watani also spoke on the same page about "al-Mahama"

and the

cave of the Holy Family in Mustorod.

The author, who is the press advisor of Pope

Shenouda III of Alexandria, reviews some of the

Pope’s main characteristics.

The author

mentions that the Coptic Church

focuses on enhancing its position abroad but at the same time neglects the

basic requirements of its congregations

in Egypt.

An overview of the Baha’i faith and interview with two practicing Baha’is. They discuss the Baha’is relationship with the authorities and views on women and other religions.