Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

The General Prosecution decided to refer two underage women in al-Minia, Christine 'Izat Fathī and Nancy Majdī Fathī 'Izat, who disappeared for 13 days, to a foster home according to their own will.

Police found both girls coincidently in Cairo, wearing the niqāb. The police officer found it suspicious that one of them had a cross tattoo on her hand while she was niqāb clad, when he talked to them he found out that they were the underage women from Minia.

According to the testimony of both women, they were not kidnaped but ran away from their parents' punishment because they converted to Islam.

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In this article, Rānyā Sādiq criticizes the proposal by Maurice Sādiq, who has called for the establishment of an independent Coptic country in Egypt.

The writer suggests that Maurice Sādiq's proposal is related to a Zionist plot, due to its timing with the referendum for the secession of southern Sudan.

According to secular Coptic leader Kamal Zākhir, "This is silly because it only refelects their own point of view and is irrational."

Fārūq Husnī, Minister of culture, inaugurated a Coptic art exhibition celebrating hundred years on the establishment of coptic museum in year 1910.

The exhibition spotlight the first years of christianity in Egypt, and St. Mark's, the Apostle, role.

Egyptian newspapers dedicated much of their Sunday coverage to ‘Āmir ‘Āshūr, the man accused of killing one Christian and injuring five others on a train in southern Egypt last Tuesday...

Diana Māhir Ghālī reviews this weekend's opinion articles dealing with the Alexandria church attack...

Egyptian churches have seen intensified security measures ever since the al-Qā‘idah threats. The Pope turned downs various offers from the Coptic Diaspora to send specialized security teams, and it was later discovered that most large churches have their own special Coptic security teams. Bishop Bīshūy, who was seen entering the ‘Abbāsiyyah Church from the back door because of the threats, has reportedly been ordered by the authorities to stay at St. Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai, as he might be a target.

Key Words: al-Qā‘idah – Kāmīliyā Shihātah – Wafā’ Constantine - Bishop Bīshūy – Pope Shenouda III

Ahmad al-Jammāl blames last Wednesday’s ‘Umrāniyyah church riots on Bishop Bishūy’s controversial statements about the Qūr'ān. He says that Bīshūy, who he claims is second in command in the Coptic Orthodox Church, crossed the first line, thereby allowing the protestors to cross the second line by using violence against the authorities. He then blames Pope Shenouda III for Bīshūy’s statements and claims that the church is attempting to gain the upper hand in resolving the country's problems.

Key Words: Ahmad al-Jammāl - ‘Umrāniyyah - Bishop Bishūy - Pope Shenouda III

Al-‘Arabī asked a number of experts about the ‘Umrāniyyah Church incident. Some blamed the authorities for failing to contain the situation before its outbreak, others blamed the Copts for disobeying the authorities. However, they all agreed that someone was behind the events and caused them for unknown reasons.

Key Words: Fu’ād ‘Allām – Jamāl As‘ad – Georgette Subhī ‘Abduh Qalīnī – Dr. Jamāl al-‘Utayfī

Ra’fat talks about last Wednesday’s church riots and asks what went wrong, given that the Giza Governorate announced its approval of the building to be turned into a church. A leading ecclesial figure answers that security forces arrived at the building sight with bulldozers ready to demolish the building on the morning after the announcement, claiming it to be illegal. He says when Copts refused to leave the sight, security forces threatened to push them out using tear gas, hence starting the violence. He also said that rumors of security forces killing young Coptic builders spread throughout the area, causing more Copts to rush to the sight and clash with the security forces. Ra’fat then suggests that there might be a “hidden hand” behind the fitnah tā’ifīyah and that the government's reluctance to issue a unified law for places of worship may have contributed to the events.

Key Words: ‘Umrāniyyah – Giza

Dr. Hasan Hanafī talks about the obsession of the American conservatives regarding the issue of President Barack Obama’s religion. He asks why it should matter more than his political agenda. He talks about the contradiction between some of his views, such as his alliance with a Jewish state that owns nuclear weapons and his antagonizing of Iran for wanting its own nuclear weapons.

Key Words: Barack Obama – Israel – Palestine – Iraq – Afghanistan