Ākhir Sā‘ah

‘Ākhir Sā‘ah published a file of the concept of God in the main religions and philosophies through are history.

The secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities announces having reached an agreement with the US to return the manuscript of the Gospel of Judas to Egypt, where it was discovered. ‘Ākhir Sā‘ah magazine published a number of articles on the subject and expected considerable controversy upon the manuscript’s return to Egypt.

Cases of child sex abuse in the Catholic Church have stirred people’s anger at the Vatican, which denied having ignored the problem. Pope Benedict expresses his regret over the sexual assaults and calls for the trial of the culprits.

The Church confirms its refusal to authorize second marriage for divorced Copts, in spite of a ruling in the Supreme Administrative Court obliging the church to allow remarriage. Pope Shenouda stated that nothing on Earth can force the church to violate its doctrine or Biblical teachings. Legal figures assert that the ruling is not binding to the church.

Ākhir Sā‘ah interviews Hamdī Zaqzūq, the ministry of endowments, who speaks about the relationship between Islam and Christianity and about the issue of banning minarets in Switzerland.

The Coptic Orthodox doctrine and Christianity in Egypt passed through hard times before being established. ‘Alā’Hijāb al-Musawwar wrote a detailed report on Coptic Orthodox history in Egypt. Al-Musawwar also shed light on Coptic art and iconography.

In spite of the tragic violence at Naj‘ Hammādī, the Egyptian press adhered to its annual tradition of publishing a considerable number of articles about Christmas and many Christmas greetings and Christmas-related arguments. President Mubārak greeted Pope Shenouda and the Coptic public in Egypt and abroad.

‘Ākhir Sā‘ah published a number of articles on the need to reform religious discourse in Egypt. Many observers called to resist the extremist religious discourse and promote moderation and unity.

Some expatriate Copt organizations have triggered feelings of enmity and hatred in the Copts living within Egypt, exciting them to carry weapons to use against Muslims who they fear are taking away their freedoms. These incitements ignite the fire of sectarian disputes and fitnah between Christians and Muslims in Egyptian society.