Nahdat Misr

The Egyptian Association for Community Participation Enhancement issued its first report on the parliamentary elections. The report shows violence inside the National Democratic Party, resulting in the death of two civilians. The report also shows various ministers' abuse of power in their local districts, and the Muslim Brotherhood taking advantage of the Eid to promote its candidates.

Key Words: The Egyptian Association For Community Participation Enhancement - The National Democratic Party - Dakahlia - Port Said - Nazra for Feminist studies - Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies - European Commission of Human Rights - Said Meshael - Sohag - Ministry of Water and Irrigation - Muslim Brotherhood - Alexandria - Dr. Magdy Abdel Hameed

The Church is divided over whether or not to take legal action over the "insulting" allegations made by Dr. Mohamed Selim El-Awa against the church. While the General Congregation Council announced its refusal to deal with El-Awa, the Congregation Council of Alexandria issued a report to the President and head of Al-Azhar requesting that legal action be taken against him.

Key Words: Dr. Mohamed Selim El-Awa - Dr. Tharwat Baseely - President Hosni Mubarak - Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar - The Congregation Council of Alexandria - The General Congregation Council

The Egyptian Union of Human Rights proposed a law consisting of 10 articles to the Ministry of Justice. The law protects Egyptian citizens' rights to practice and convert to any of the religions listed in the Egyptian constitution. Conversion would have to be approved by a council of 7 members who would carry out appropriate investigations to ensure that the motives behind the conversion are purely spiritual.

Key Words: Egyptian Union of Human Rights - Ministry of Justice

Ameera says that she finds it strange that two different groups of people praying at two different mosques would decide to perform demonstrations about a woman, whose conversion to Islam hasn't even been proven, at the exact same time. She also finds it strange that after the woman released a video denying her conversion to Islam, they would carry on demonstrating on the premise that the woman in the video is really a look-alike. The truth, she says, is that Egypt is experiencing organized activity from extremists of both religions, which could end in ugly sectarian strife.

Key Words: The Amr Ibn El-Aas Mosque - The Mostafa Mahmoud Mosque - El-Minya - Kamilia Shehata - Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar - Wafaa Costantine

The U.S. Copts Association has accused the Muslim Brotherhood of turning public opinion against Pope Shenouda III. A poll on the organization's website showed that 87% of voters agree with the accusation, 9% disagree, and 3% "don't know." It should be noted that there are several Facebook groups calling for people to take a stand against the church for holding Kamilia Shehata and many others.

Key Words: President of the U.S. Copts Association - Michael Meunier - The Muslim Brotherhood - Pope Shenouda III - Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria - Kamilia Shehata

Around 8,688 members of Muslim Brotherhood online message boards participated in a general, prime ministerial and presidential election simulation game for Islamic government, indicating there would be no Coptic ministers. They agreed that according to Sharia law, women are not allowed to be president and that the only governmental positions suitable for women are in the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Key Words: The Muslim Brotherhood - Prime Minister of Turkey - Recep Tayyip Erdogan - Amany Mohamed - Hassan Al-Houdeiby

Said Misheil attended the Friday prayers at the Al-Tawheed Mosque where the imam said a prayer for him, while his competitor, Mahmoud Bakry, prayed 2km away at the Haraz Mosque where that imam said a prayer for him. Alaa Fahmy and Akmal Kortam stepped down from running for the Maadi District to make way for Mohamed Al Morshedy. Mosheera Khattab stepped down due to lack of competition for her party's seats in parliament.

Key Words: Helwan - Said Misheil - Minister of Military Production - Gharb Youth Center - Al-Massera Youth Center - Saffey El-Din Kharboush - Head of the National Council for Youth and Sports - Governer of Helwan - Nile Country Club - Mahmoud Bakry - The Voice of Helwan Newspaper - Priest Maxious Ishaak - Abba Basanty - Al Maasira - Al-Tawheed Mosque - Haraz Mosque - Ezbet Sallam - Alaa Fahmy - Minister of Transport - Head of Maadi Youth Center - Mohamed Al Morshedy - Akmal Kortam - Maadi District - Dar Al-Salam & Al-Basateen District - Mosheera Khattab - Helwan Local Council - Mosheera Ghaly - Dr. Soheir Othman - Helwan University - Nagwa Abul Naga - Mariam Edward Cawl - Fayza Hassabo - Secretary of Military Labour

Jamāl al-Bannā, a prominent Muslim thinker and brother of Hassan al-Bannā, the Muslim Brotherhood’s founder, has criticized the Brotherhood for straying from its original roots. He explained that he, along with a large portion of the population, believed in freedom of thought and would protest a religious state.

Key Words: Muslim Brotherhood - Jamāl al-Bannā - Jamāl cAbd al-Nāsir

One hundred and twenty Researchers from 12 countries are scheduled to participate in the first International Conference on Coptic Studies, which will be held at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina from September 21st to 23rd. Its main themes address life in ancient Egypt during the Coptic period. The conference will also discuss different aspects of Egyptian society and history.

Key Words: Bibliotheca Alexandria - Calligraphy Center - Ministry of Culture - the Society for Coptic Archaeology - Dr. Loay Saeed - Jacques van der Vliet - Leiden University - Dr Youhanna Nessim Youssef - Australian Catholic University - Stephen Emmel - The University of Munster - International Association for Coptologists

Observers believe that the recent secret Guidance Bureau elections in the Muslim Brotherhood may deepen the divide between the different wings of the group. Al-Arian, one the group's leaders believes that he was deliberately excluded from the elections but the general guide will only state that the elections are an internal brotherhood matter.