‘Izbat al-Nakhl / ‘Ayn Shams / Cairo

The U.S. Copts’ Association has accused USAID of discriminating against Copts, after a proposal by the association in Egypt to partially finance two projects was rejected. USAID cited three reasons why it rejected the projects and the U.S Copts’ Association asserted that the rejection was mainly because the Egyptian government did not approve of the projects.

‘Azmī Na‘īm narrated the story of Sister Emmanuelle, a French nun who came to serve the poor areas in Cairo. Na‘īm lists her achievements in the places where she served.

International Religious Freedom Report 2006, released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

The author discusses the increasing phenomenon of Coptic girls converting to Islam, and considers the reasons behind these conversions.

The article presents excerpts from controversial press statements made by both Muslims and Copts. While the Muslims refuse to be ruled by a Copt, an alleged spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox church claims that the Copts are the original natives of Egypt and decry Muslims as "occupiers."

Different Christian newspapers try to garner Coptic readers. Most of the papers are not of a good quality and most adopt exaggerated expressions to attract as many readers as possible.

The Head of the Department of Transport and Bridges Equipment in Cairo was

arrested together with his wife for forming a group promoting ideas against Islam. He issued a fatwa to his

followers that they were not obliged to pray in the direction of the Kiblah while performing prayers. He also

denied the Sunna of the Prophet and dismissed the rites of pilgrimage.

The young people who took part in the demonstrations against the movie “Baheb Al-Sima” [I love Cinema] in front of the cathedral are not desperate youth. They are all occupying honorable posts working for the improvement of the country. More importantly, they are not driven by anyone. The churches. instead discouraged them for more than three weeks to express their views. It is also noteworthy that they demonstrated in a civilized way.

Legal accountant Mr. Mustafa Abaza explained on March 31, 2001 the differences between the official and informal way of buying property in Egypt. The bishop used the informal way. Bishop Marcos agreed with Abaza’s description but added that in the area of this building there are "no legal procedures to register the land."

This is not just an interview. It is an attempt to break the silence and conspiracy over Nasr Hamed Abu-Zeid being sent into exile. How long will Nasr Abu-Zeid remain in exile? Who has benefited from changing an intellectual and researcher into a "cultural refugee"? Why does his leaving Egypt now, after all these years, seem the perfect solution to all parties: the government, the intellectuals, and the Islamists? This interview is the beginning of a campaign adopted by Sout Al-Umma to bring Nasr Abu-Zeid back to Egypt.