Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Prince Hassan of Jordan pleads for a pluralist society in the Arab world, and examines the phenomenon of Christian migration.

Katholiek Nieuwsblad highlights an interview with HRH Prince Hassan of Jordan.

Interview: Cornelis Hulsman

The following article presents an interview between His Royal Highness Prince Hasan Ibn Talal of Jordan, and Drs. Cornelis Hulsman. Issues discussed include Christian emigration from the Arab world, reform, and political issues in the Middle East.

The article describes the decline of Christians relative to members of other faiths in the Middle East, developing the argument that it is part of a larger trend, and suggesting that Christians may all but vanish from the region.

The article focuses on the various interpretations of secularism and discusses the advantages of the ideology.

The various members of Turkey’s political scene are still fiercely debating the issue of the ban on headscarves in public institutions. Recently the high court ruled that the constitutional amendment that was passed in February allowing women to wear the headscarves in universities is null. The authors of this article predict that the conflict could end in a serious political confrontation.

Subhī Mijāhid interviews Holland Taylor, founder of the Libforall Foundation.

The political situation in the Middle East is in constant flux. Muhammad Hamdī argues that the new Middle East is coming under siege from two non-Arab regional forces; Iran and Turkey.

Disagreements occur over female circumcision at a meeting held by the National Conference for Childhood and Motherhood.

Drs. Hulsman and Dr. Burslem provide a detailed report on Muslim-Christian relations based on a review of Dr. Hugh Goddard’s book, commenting on a number of issues including Western perceptions, mis-interpretations, and examples of recent incidents involving Muslims and Christians.