Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

A state of disgruntlement was sparked among a number of Coptic Orthodox bishops who were absent from last week’s meeting at the Saint Mark Cathedral to discuss names of possible presidential hopefuls and others to represent the church in the constitutional assembly, according to a source inside the church who refused to have his name mentioned. [Ahmad al-Sa’dāwī, al-Shurūq al-Jadīd, March 12, p. 1] Read original text in Arabic

Al-Menya Criminal Court resumes the Samallūt train shooter trial on September 13, 2011.

'Āmir 'Ashūr, a police personnel, had randomly got into Samallūt, al-Menya governorate, train and opened fire on the passengers, killing one Copt and injuring six others.

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 'Alā' Al-Sharqāwī, president of the prosecution in al-Minia governorate, decided to release the three brothers accused of participating in the kidnapping of two underage women who disappeared on June 12, 2011.

Both young women denied that they were kidnaped.

On the other hand, a conciliation meeting in Qlūsanā of Samallūt in Minia, ended the clashed between Muslims and Christians. Clashes erupted when a microbus driver assaulted Christian young women; seven were injured in the clashes [Reviewer's Note: News story was also covered in al-Shurūq al-Jadīd, page 6, July 3, 2011].

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Egyptian authorities have controlled a sectarian clash that began Thursday night and continued until dawn on Friday in Qolosna village in Minia Governorate.

Quiet returned to al-Minia after fitnah incidents that took place on June 30, 2011, and resulted in 5 injuries.

Father Da'oud Nāshid, Deputy of Minia Archbishopric, said that quiet was restored because of the village's elders from Muslims and Copts, in Qlūsanā village in the Samallūt town of Minya governorate.

Residents of al-Qamādīr village of Samallūt in al-Minya governorate ended the sectarian tension that erupted between Muslims and Christians on April 6, 2011, due to an attempt to change mercy association into a church. In return, Muslims banned Copts from entering the association's headquarter.

On May 27, 2011, residents of the village held a conciliatory meeting and agreed to specify 276 meters squared for the association. They noted that the association will be constructed on 175 meters squared only, thereby allowing room for Copts to pray in it.

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Here is the second episode in a dreadful series of events that appear to have no end in sight. We had thought that the 25 January revolution would open a new chapter in the relations between Muslims and Copts—given their obvious solidarity and sympathy all through the 18-day uprising.

Approximately a year ago, Madeleine Sādiq Kāmil, underage girl,  was underage reported missing by her parents in Samalūt, Minya governorate.

Her parents said that she was a religous Christian and a chaperon in the church. Sawt al-Ummah met with Madeleine or Jihād (after converting to Islam), who said that she was not kidnapped, as Christians claimed, but she converted to Islam on her own will.