Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a draft of a law to create the position of a special envoy to support the rights of religious minorities in the Middle East and Asia with Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan as top priority. The draft was approved by a majority of 402 to 20.

[Reviewer's note: a similar story was covered in al-Masry al-Yawm, August 2, 2011, p.3].

Georgette Qillini considers the historic relations between Muslims and Christians, finding that great cooperation was found in the Muhammad 'Alī era but has been strained given recent developments and sectarian tensions.

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The Administrative Judiciary Court refused to recognize Max Michel as the patriarch of a Coptic Orthodox Church declaring that Pope Shenouda III is the only patriarch for Orthodox Copts. The execution of the ruling will imply the annulment of the identity card that had been issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Interior in which Michel was recognized as a bishop. While the Coptic Orthodox Church welcomed the “just” ruling, Michel has rejected it and expressed his will to appeal.

The victims of the attacks against Coptic property were compensated for the damages they incurred, and a reconciliation session was held in Isnā. Egyptian journalists call for a realistic and objective treatment of the increasing sectarian tension in the country.

The article discusses a tragedy that took place in Alexandria last week when a 12-storey building collapsed into another one, killing dozens of local residents.

Dr. Rafīq Habīb argues that citizenship principles will be the crowning achievement in Egypt’s development but they will not initiate the process of solving the problems in Egypt today. He referred to the danger of sedition and division in Egyptian society and to the compelling need to establish national unity and put and end to the tyrannical regime.

Father Bimen highlights what he considers to be events that contribute to the activation of citizenship in Egypt in 2007.

Hānī Labīb provides a panorama of what he believes shows positive progress toward citizenship in Egypt in 2007.

A defrocked clergyman misuses his religious habit and engages in illegal activities.

The different days of celebrating Christmas are related to anthropological considerations rather than doctrinal disagreement.