Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

The author believes that the church is playing an improper role by replacing the state in dealing with Coptic affairs.

Pope Shenouda closes investigations into a nun’s accidental death after proving that the death was natural and not planned.

The recent increase in religious satellite channels in the Middle East has led some critics to suggest that they have strayed from their original purpose of educating people about religion and become money-spinning centers for fundamentalist thought.

The article highlights the recent problems with Pope Shenouda’s health, and

expresses Watani International’s wishes for a speedy recovery.

A Coptic laymen’s group called for radical changes in the system and rules of the Coptic Orthodox patriarch elections. The suggestions were severely rejected by the church and a wide range of Copts. Kamāl Zākhir Mūsá, purportedly the leader of the laymen’s group, wrote an article explaining his group’s avocations.

‘Amr Bayyūmī reports on a secret report prepared by a former employee at the Christian satellite channel ‘Sat 7’ accusing it of adopting Zionist tendencies and planting seeds of sectarian sedition in Egypt.

The following article lists examples of Muslim-Christian incidents since 1996 with an analysis of the different causes leading to such unfortunate incidents. This report was presented to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Council for Human Rights.

A Christian satellite channel will be launched on the European satellite channel ‘Hotbird.’

A new church was built in the United Arab Emirates. Pope Shenouda headed a delegation from the Coptic Orthodox Church to the UAE to inaugurate the church.

Drs. Hulsman provides a detailed description of Muslim-Christian relations in Egypt, and a history of Coptic problems, stemming from their own actions and outside influences.