Political and social context in the Arab world

The constituent assembly writing a new constitution for Egypt is facing collapse from within as less 48 hour after civil parties and movements suspended their activities the representatives of the three churches announced on Friday (November 16) withdrawal in protest over certain articles in the draft constitution. [‘Imād Khalīl and Muhammad Gharīb, al-Misrī al-Yawm, Nov. 17, p. 4] Read original text in Arabic

Egyptian business magnate Najīb Sawirus said Copts, who resemble the Red Indians of America, are suffering persecution and discrimination, adding the new government in Egypt has picked only one Christian minister out of 48 Muslim ministers. [Rihāb ‘Abd Illah, al-Yawm al-Sābi’, Nov. 16, p. 1] Read original text in Arabic

Rūmānī Jād al-Rabb, a Coptic activist and Vice-Chairman of the al-Kalima (Word) for Human Rights, accused officials of “foot-dragging” on bringing to justice the persons involved in the October 9, 2011 clashes outside the state TV & radio building in Maspero, which left more than 20 people killed and dozens others wounded. [Muhammad al-Mishtāwī, al-Shurūq al-Jadīd, Nov. 15, p. 3] Read original text in Arabic

Counselor Husām al-Ghiryānī, Chairman of the Constituent Assembly drafting a new constitution for Egypt and Chairman of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), said the draft constitution will be subject to amendments during the next few days. [Muhammad Hijāb, al-Ahrām, Nov. 14, p. 5] Read original text in Arabic

Pope Tawadrus II of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark said withdrawal from the constituent assembly is still an option if the Christians were not pleased with the new constitution, asserting acceptance of Article 2 in its current drafting. [Safā’ Shākir and Tāmir ‘Abd al-Ra’ūf, al-Ahrām, Nov. 13, p. 4] Read original text in Arabic

Public Prosecutor Counselor ‘Abd al-Majīd Mahmūd gave orders officially upholding the possession by Bishop Marqus of Shubrā al-Khaymah of a plot of land disputed between Muslims and Copts in Cairo after investigations revealed the right of the church’s representative to the land. [Sanā’ ‘Abd al-‘Ātī and Nājī al-Jirjāwī, al-Ahrām, Nov. 9, p. 3] Read original text in Arabic

Salafī leaders had contacts with the presidency in an attempt to dissuade President Muhammad Mursī from his decision to attend the enthronement ceremony of Pope Tawadrus II on November 18 on the grounds that the event is purely religious and “against the Muslim faith, sources revealed. [Mahmūd Gharīb and Ibtisām Faraj, al-Misryūn, Nov. 12, p. 4] Read original text in Arabic

President Muhammad Mursī on Friday (Nov. 8) issued a presidential decree appointing Bishop Tawadrus as Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of Saint Mark as the decree was received by acting patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church Bishop Pachomius. [‘Imād Khalīl, ‘Id ‘Abd al-Jawād, Rashā al-Tahtāwī, Hamdī Dabash, Ghādah al-Sharīf, Fādī Frances and Sa’īd ‘Alī, al-Misrī al-Yawm, Nov. 11, p. 3] Read original text in Arabic

A delegation of Shubrā al-Khaymah priests met with Public Prosecutor ‘Abd al-Majīd Mahmūd on Wednesday (November 7) to ask for the protection of a plot of land owned by the Kai Mina and Abi Sayfayn Church in the area of Mintāī, accusing a group of Salafists of “occupying the land and turning it into a mosque by force”. [Ahmad Shalabī, ‘Imād Khalīl and Ahmad al-Sharqāwī, al-Misrī al-Yawm, Nov. 8, p. 3] Read original text in Arabic

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