Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

A total of 70 Copts nationwide have decided to run in the forthcoming presidential elections, a figure almost the same as those who used to run in elections during the past 30 years.

On July 9, 2011, Dr. 'Ismat Zaqalamah broadcasted a video on the internet where he stated ten points to establish a Coptic State to protect Copts who are colonized by Arabs [as he claimed].

He added that 25 percent of the Egyptian resources will go to Christians because they total 25 million.

During his health trip in the United States of America, Coptic Orthodox Pope Shenouda III rejected Zaqalamah's idea and warned him from his idea.

The January 25 revolution was doomed to inherit sectarian problems between Egypt's Muslims and Christians, mainly blamed on a slacking former regime that was unable to solve them and only made sure they remained on the back burner.

The Clerical Council, in its first meeting after Coptic youths' assaults on the council chief Anbā Bula in what was labeled in the mass media as the Battle of the Dog, decided to grant approval for 500 remarriage cases whose papers have been inside the council for nearly 10 years.

The approval came following a meeting between Coptic Orthodox Pope Shenouda III, Bishop Armiyā, the secretary of the pope, Bishop Yu'annis and Bishop Mūsá. During the meeting, the pope asked the clergymen to show a stance to placate the protesters.

Some 40,000 cases others are awaiting the council's opinions about remarriage permits by either having the 1938 statute activated or having the license to obtain civil marriage.

 According to the Ministry of Interior Affairs, after 25 January Revolution, there were a total of 608 requests for foreign nationalities in the first half of the year 2011 compared to 597 case in the first half of the year 2010.

The writer adds that this is a small increase and has nothing to do with the latest incidents during the revolution.

On Friday, 90,000 pharmacists will take to the polls to settle the debate over the electoral position in the Pharmacists Syndicate. The syndicate witnessed battles between the conflicting political movements in its final days when 13 candidates are competing for the seat of chairman in the Pharmacists Syndicate. Among them, a Copt, Doctor Samir Therif, named by followers of the Coptic Church as an opponent of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Dr. Munīr Sa'd announced intentions to run for vice president in the coming elections as the first Copt in this position.

Sa'd distributed his promotional flyers in the second Friday of wrath, describing himself as an Egyptian Dutch who knows six languages and an expert in political economical affairs.

'Ādil Sa'd wrote that salafists had decided to turn over churches and monasteries for three women.

He added that 'Abīr was married, then she left and married an ill reputed Muslim man. She lived in Cairo and her ill reputation had reached her village in Asyut.

Salwá, another Christian women who converted to Islam, had converted and lived with her husband and children. Her five brothers killed both her, her husband, and children. He described her brothers as Christian salafists [Watch video of last words about Salwá's murder by her husband].

Kāmīliya, on the other hand. Why did the state not interfere to oblige her to appear on television to resolve the issue?

Church sources said that neither Kāmīliyā Shihāta nor Wafā' Constantine was detained inside monasteries as salafists claim.

Constantine is a nun in one of Cairo's archbishoprics while Shihātah is still Christian, according to the sources, adding that the church will soon reply to all allegations.

Meanwhile, Internet battles are raging between the Free Copts website and salafī websites as both sides are publishing videos and documents supporting their claims.

Nājīh Ibrāhīm, former member of al-Jamā'ah al-Islāmīyah, writes that the Islamic Sharī'ah allowed for a Christian or a Jew to be ministers.

He comments on the recent incident in Qena, noting that whether or not he agrees with protesters' demands, it is not permissible in Sharī'ah or religion to block the road or the train's railway.