Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Chairman of the Egyptian Union of Human Rights [Reviewer: No link found] Najīb Jibrā’īl sent, last Thursday, a letter to His Holiness Pope Shenouda asking him to prepare a memorandum on Orthodox clergymen uniform’s specifications to be submitted to the Ministry of Interior.

Jabrā’īl’s request came after President Mubārak blew a surprise in a memorandum submitted to the Administrative Judiciary Court through Advisor Samīr Shibl, which stated that a clergyman’s uniform is protected by the law as are policemen and armed forces officers’ uniform. It also stated that anyone undeservedly wearing them shall be punished for impersonating someone else.

The memorandum also stated that the church is a public facility and its workers are deemed public servants.

Jabrā’īl filed a lawsuit a year ago before the Administrative Judiciary Court against the president of the Republic demanding that he enact a law by a presidential decree that stipulates clergymen uniforms are an official uniform and punish anyone unqualified wearing them.

The lawsuit was filed as a result of the recent crimes committed by some excommunicated priests wearing clergymen uniforms which harmed the reputation of clergymen. Some of them hold marriage ceremonies as if they were authorized priests. There is also Max Michel, who unduly wears the Coptic Orthodox patriarch’s uniform.