Luxor / Egypt

The Egyptian authority released two leaders of the Gama’at Al-Islamiya who were sentenced to 15 years in the case of Sadat’s assassination. The release came one week before the four-year anniversary of the peace initiative declared by the leaders of the Gama’at Al-Islamiya.

"Be Thou There" is a new book on the trip of the Holy Family through Egypt. It is an important contribution to the history of the Holy Family, and generally to the Christian heritage in Egypt. The three writers of the book and its editor are specialists in Christian archaeology, Egyptian religious affairs [the editor of the RNSAW], and the New Testaments and history of the church.

The late Pope Kyrillos IV laid the foundation stone of the monastery of Mar Mena Al-Agybi, in 1959. The tomb of Pope Kyrillos, who took Mar Mena as his intercessor, is there. Mar Mena Al-Agybi [Mar Mena, the wonder-worker] was so called because of the wonders that took place where he was buried.

For the first time, disputes among the pastors of the Free Methodist church are taking place. The problem started when disputes between many pastors of the Church and the head pastor of its General Council became widespread. This was due to the accusations of lying, stealing, cursing, violating the church’s constitution, and high-handedness, exchanged between the parties. The disputes reached court, when the head pastor of the General Council tried to attack one of the pastors.

The Assistant Interior Minister says that terrorist groups are still present and develop themselves. Some of their members are highly educated and can plan very well in order not to be discovered. Most of them are young people who go through brain washing making them rather die than be discovered. The minister does not believe the terrorist groups have relinquished violence as they claimed. Those who declared their repentance are doing so to be free and restart their activities.

Religious extremists started campaigning against Rose Al-Youssef because it published a series of taped interviews with them which unleashed their thoughts, methods and goals. Yasser Al-Serri felt cornered after the magazine revealed the unimportance of his role, and how flat his ideas are. Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman issued a statement to attack the articles of Al-Ibrashi. The attorney of sheikh Abu-Hamza "the Egyptian" decided to sue
Rose Al-Youssef.

The Sheikh of the Azhar, wrote a letter to the Prime Minster which included the fatwa of the Azhar stating that it is not proper to charge fees to enter Mosques, whether those entering are Moslems or not, and whether they are Egyptians or not, and that the Prime Minister should implement this fatwa. The Mufti supports this view and says never someone was prevented from entering a mosque.

Rafi Ahmed Taha, a prominent leader of the Gama’a Al-Islamiya, accused Egyptian authorities of being responsible for the killing of fundamentalist leader Alaa’ Abdel Razaq Atia, and one of his accomplices in a clash with the Egyptian security forces in Aswan on October 19.

Pope Shenouda III refused to meet a delegation of the sons of the Bishopric of Luxor who are still asking for the return of Bishop Ammonius. The delegation said that the problem of their Bishopric was not yet solved. Christians of Luxor sent the Pope a message in which they said "we get tired, Your holiness."

"Le Nouvelle Observateur", a French weekly, reports that London has become a haven for terrorists and a protector of Muslim extremist leaders from around the world. Many headquarters of terrorist extremist groups can be found in London. The "Observateur" tells many stories, describing the life of luxury of these extremists in London and how they use London as a propaganda center and a launching pad for terrorism throughout the world.