Developments of Christianity in the Arab world

Counselor Muhammad ‘Abd al-Salām, the Attorney-General for the Western Alexandria Prosecutions, on Sunday (November 4) ordered the arrest of Mahmūd Salīm ‘Abd al-Jawād, an owner of a bookshop in al-Dab’ah, Mersa Matrouh governorate, on charges of abducting 14-year-old Christian girl Sarah Ishaq ‘Abd al-Malik nearly a month ago. [Hudá Rashwān, Mahmūd Hassūnah and Muhammad Bakhāt, al-Watan, Nov. 5, p. 3] Read original text in Arabic

Albair Sābir ‘Ayyād, a 27-year-old Christian young man who is under investigative custody on charges he disdained religions, dismissed the accusations and said what he spoke about on his social media networking websites Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages already exist in comparative theology and Islamic philosophy books. [Author Not Mentioned, al-Ahrām, Nov. 3, p. 21] Read original text in Arabic

Sectarian unrest took place between Muslims and Copts in the area of Mintāī, Shubrā al-Khayman district, on Monday (November 5) when local residents objected the construction of a service building over a plot of land owned by Bishop Marqus, seized the land which they claimed unlicensed and put a sign reading “‘Ibād al-Rahman Mosque” there. [Muntasir Sa’d, ‘Abd al-Wahāb Sha’bān, Salāh al-Wakīl and Mājdah Sālih, al-Wafd, Nov. 7, p. 1] Read text in Arabic

Hannes Swoboda, President of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats in the European Parliament, rejected insults to religious symbols, noting there is difference between the freedom of expression and affronts to religion. [Muhammad al-Fiqī and Akram Najīb, al-Akhbār, Nov. 2, p. 4] Read original text in Arabic

Pope Tawardros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark said he would open a new chapter of relations with everyone, adding his heart is open for all Egyptians – Muslims and Copts. [‘Imād Khalīl, al-Misrī al-Yawm, Nov. 6, p. 7] Read original text in Arabic

Bishop Pachomius, acting Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, deserves appreciation and respect for many reasons:

Arrangements are being completed at the papal headquarters were completed to provide honorable civilized celebrations of the sacred lot ceremony to pick the 118th as the church's scout teams are getting ready to attain an organizational success similar to that of the elections. [Ashraf Sādiq, al-Ahrām, Nov. 4, p. 5] Read original text in Arabic

The election of Bishop Tawadros to the Coptic Orthodox papacy was greeted with much enthusiasm. It also thrust into the limelight a figure little-known to the church, or world, at large. Who is Bishop Tawadros, and what style of ministry will he bring to the papal chair?

Mid-Sunday morning, after three days of fasting, the Coptic Orthodox Church selected Bishop Tawadros of the Diocese of Beheira to be its 118^th patriarch, succeeding Pope Shenouda II, who passed away in March of 2012. Tawadros’ name was drawn from a wax-sealed glass ball by a blindfolded child, supervised by the acting patriarch Bishop Pachomius. 

The choice today of Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II is of major importance for church-state relations in the coming years.