Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Dr. Ahmad al-Tayīb, the Azhar's Grand Shaykh, continued his meetings with intellectuals and thinkers in order to find ways to activate the Azhar document.

The meetings will mainly focus on the uses of culture and education to present proposals to develop these two fields.

Muhammad Shibl writes an opinion piece in al-Qāhirah, saying that Kāmilīyā, Wafā' and 'Abīr are three women who became the object of perennial contemplation by a group of Muslim Egyptians, the salafists.

These three women have alledgedly converted to Islam and that the church has later forced them to convert back to Christianity by detaining them inside monasteries.

 The author states that analyzing ordinary incidents in a sectarian vision causes sectarian riots and causes many problems to national unity.

While some of the weekly Egyptian publications continue to offer extensive opinion pieces about the Alexandria church attack, instances of such opinions decreased noticeably in the daily papers...

Egyptian and Israeli media trade accusations, Yūsuf al-Qaradāwī tells the Vatican Pope to "leave us alone," and investigators continue their hunt for evidence in this latest roundup of Egyptian newspaper coverage of the New Year's Day church attack in Alexandria...

Midhat Bishāy believes that the Coptic Orthodox Church lacks the concept of decentralization. He explains that Pope Shenouda, the Coptic Orthodox Patriarch, has announced on several occasions that no one is authorized to decide, consult, or speak in the name of the church without first consulting him.

He also sees a lack of transparency in the church's selection of leaders, ambiguous size of financial resources, and lack of an official press office.

Bishāy suggests that it is vital for secular administration practices to replace the patriarchal authoritarian administration, stating,"If the church is truly a religious institution (and I think it is) then it should not interfere in political matters."

‘Imād Tūmās reviews a book entitled Introduction to Coptic Folklore, which argues that ancient Egyptian roots can be found throughout most Coptic celebrations, feasts, hymns, and rituals.

For instance, the commemoration of birthdays of the saints (called Mawlids) comes from a ritual that stretches all the way back to ancient Egyptian civilization.

‘Umaymah ‘Abd al-'Azīz writes about the so-called "fatwá channels," saying that they contradict the basic tenets of religion because of their exaggeration and lack of forgiveness.

She added that the satellite channels in question did not care about Egypt's well-being or security, but only looked to fulfill their own agendas.

‘Abd al-'Azīz also praises the recent decision banning the media from attending court trials.

Islamic scholar Muhammad ‘Imārah talks in his article about the Islamic view of charging interest on loans.

He write that usury is against the Qur’ān, because money in Islam is used for the exchange of goods and services. He further argues that money shouldn't be used as a "good" in itself in order to bring more money.