Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

[Editor: the author is extremely negative about the minister, too negative. We have met with him on several occasions and he certainly way more openminded than the author claims]

President Mubārak exerts a lot of effort to maintain peace between Muslims and Christians within Egypt, while the minister of endowments, Dr Ḥamdī Zaqzūq, has consented to allow the publication of a book which threatens this peace and stability. The book is written by Muhammad ‘Imārah who writes that Muslims are allowed to kill Christians and assume their money and wives.

The author asks the minister to resign rather than being fired because he offends his position in the Egyptian government which supports social unity and peace. He adds that the Holy Qur’ān allows Muslims to share their food with Christians, and urges them to join Christians’ feasts as a sign of Islamic morality and good behavior. He further rejects ‘Imarah’s apology for including such information in his book because this apology adds to his insult against Christians.

The author asserts that the current minister of endowments is not the right person for the position and that he should be replaced by someone with a broader perspective and who is more open-minded.