Al-Ahrām

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

Activist 'Alā' 'Abd al-Fattāh said that assaults on women will have a strong reaction on January 25, 2012, adding "we will take revenge for women." ['Alā' al-Dīn Sālim and Safā' Shākir, Al-Ahrām, Dec. 28, p. 5] Read the original text in Arabic

The committee concerned with the law on developing the Azhar finalized the draft and will refer it to the Islamic Research Academy. The development includes restructuring the senior ulema board and choosing the Azhar’s Grand Shaykh among them. [Muhammad 'Abd al-Khāliq, al-Ahrām, Dec. 27, p. 14] Read original text in Arabic  

In a step that is expected to spark row, Egypt Free Shops Company (EFSCO) received instructions from the finance ministry to refrain from selling liquor and cigarettes in its branches outside airports. [Hishām Yassa and Yūsuf al-'Ūmī, al-Misrī al-Yawm, Dec. 26, p. 4] Read the original text in Arabic

Coptic businessman Najīb Sawirus said the Muslim Brotherhood’s attacks on him and “false allegations” is yet another episode in the MB’s standard practice of turning political rivalry into religious battles. [Author Not Mentioned, al-Misrī al-Yawm, Dec. 24, p. 8] Read the 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. [Ashraf Sādiq, al-Ahrām, December 23, 2011, p.10] Read the original text in Arabic 

Supporters of the Salafī al-Nūr (Light) Party in al-Beheira governorate handed out fliers in which they urged voters to cast their ballots in favor of the party and that anyone not voting for al-Nūr would be "a sinner in the heart, profligate and dishonest because they letting down the party that seeks implementing the sharī'ah (Muslim law) of Allāh." [Muhammad Khayāl, Al-Shurūq al-Jadīd, Dec. 22, p. 3] Read the original text in Arabic

The trial of suspects from the military involved in the virginity tests and the October 9 Maspero incidents before a court martial is underway, according to Maj. General 'Ādil al-Mursī, the president of the military judiciary organization. ['Alī Shām, Al-Ahrām, Dec. 21, p. 3] Read the original text in Arabic

Dr. Muhammad al-Biltājī, Secretary-General of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, attacked the practices of business tycoon Najīb Sawirus in establishing parties, channels and newspapers to divide the nation.

In his rally in Shibīn al-Qanātir area, Biltājī said that Sawirus seeks to divide the nation into factions and spread rumors about the Muslim Brotherhood.

Read the original text in Arabic

In a flagrant inciting language, the U.S. think-tank RAND said the Copts now have a historic chance to prepare for declaring their state in light of the current incidents in Egypt. [Dālīyā Taha, Rose al-Yūsuf newspaper, December 20, p. 1] Read original text in Arabic