Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Muhammad Habīb, the deputy murshid [guide] of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, said that the group’s position regarding the al-Wilāya al-‘Āmma [top post] issue is clear, asserting that Copts should not rule Muslims. [Reviewer: Habīb was referring to the presidential post as al-Wilāya al-‘Āmma.] Habīb, however, pointed out that the Brotherhood’s Irshād [Guidance] Office members have agreed that Muslims and Copts have equal rights and duties and that Copts are entitled to have access to senior posts and free practice of religious rituals.



Regarding the construction of churches, Habīb said that the group has decided to leave this for the legal texts. He said the Brotherhood deputies at the People’s Assembly [parliament] would work on having a law enacted to regulate procedures for the construction of houses of worship. He said this law would take into account the demographic distribution of the Copts in the places where they demand to have new churches built.



Habīb was commenting on a document forwarded by prominent Coptic figures led by Dr. Rafīq Habīb and contained six items for dialogue between the Copts and the group, adding the Brotherhood opted for not organizing a general dialogue in which all political powers would participate.



Muhammad Habīb said the most important thing is to help Copts participate in the professional syndicates, civil organizations and local councils.