Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Ann Emil Zakī, a 35-year-old mother of four, adamantly insisted to become the first Egyptian woman to be ordained as priest right after she finished her theological studies. [Mīrā Mamdūh, Rose al-Yūsuf magazine, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, pp. 58-59] Read original text in Arabic

Several Coptic clergymen and activists criticized the Evangelical Synod of the Nile's approval to ordain the first female priest in Egypt, to the awe of other Christian denominations in Egypt. [Jamāl George, al-Fajr, Jan. 27, p. 14] Read original text in Arabic

The Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo approved by majority during its annual meeting on Friday (January 20) on the ordaining of women as priests for the first time in the history of all Christian denomination in Egypt. ['Imād Khalīl, al-Misrī al-Yawm, Jan. 21, p. 3] Read original text in Arabic

Under the title Documented, Accurate Figure – Census of Copts is 18.565.484 million, Mājid 'Attīyah writes in a column in Watanī newspaper of January 15 that Dr. Tharwat Basīlī has said he has a documented, accurate figure of the Coptic population in Egypt and that he challenges anyone who would want to prove it is wrong. [Mājid 'Attīyah, Watanī, Jan. 15, p. 4] Read original text in Arabic

Copts are making about 5% of an Egyptian population of 81 million, which is growing by 4500 souls daily, said Abū Bakr al-Jindī, the president of the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). [Majdī Salāmah, Al-Wafd, Dec. 29, p. 12] Read original text in Arabic

Coptic Orthodox Pope Shenouda III will lead the Christmas mass, said Bishop Marqus of Shubrā al-Khaymah, denying rumors that the church was going to cancel this year’s celebrations of the Eastern Christmas on January 7, 2012. Read the original text in Arabic 

Bishop Musá, bishop of the youth in the Bishopric of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate, stated that the church neither works in politics nor interferes in politics, but rather only raises general awareness among Christians about their national duty. 

Homeless children are everywhere on the Egyptian streets, and are increasing in large numbers. This produces the dangerous situation of child trafficking. These two problems can be solved together through the making of an Egyptian adoption law.
The idea of an adoption law was presented by the Egyptian lawyer Najīb Jabrā’īl in November of 2009 as a solution for these problems. Moreover, the law would also help couples who cannot have children, but desire to be parents. This report aims to review the new law, explain various aspects, and to show the importance of this new law for the whole society.

The Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Dr. 'Isām Sharaf, postponed the discussions of the unified law for building worship houses until after the Adha feast. Family House, National Justice Committee and the Egyptian Church asked for some amendments to be made to the final draft law.

Less than 8 days after criticizing the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) in his weekly sermon and accusing it of killing protesters in Maspero incidents and of running over some of them by armored vehicles, Pope Shenouda III retracted his stance saying, ”Up till now, we do not recognize the killers of the protesters.” He added during a meeting with the martyrs’ families on Thursday noon in the Papal Residence, “We will not keep silent about the martyrs’ blood, and we are in continuous dialogue with the officials, informed them of many claims in this regard and delivered videos and evidence on the integrity of our claims to them.”