Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Press review based on Al-Misrī al-Yawm, January 8, 2010 (p. 10), January 9, 2010 (p. 10), January 11, 2010 (p. 20), January 11, 2010 (p. 17)

Al-Misrī al-Yawm continues the journey tracing the Holy family in their trip in through Egypt. After Sinai [AWR 2010, week 1, article 34], Samāh ‘Abd al-‘Ātī, author of the articles, headedcontinued with photographer Ahmad Hayman. After Bastā the Holy Family med headed to Balbīs, where they rested under a tree that was later named after the Holy Virgin. The tree has since disappeared, however. ‘Abd al-‘Ātī obtained the track of the Holy family’s trip from Saint Antonius Church in Bastā.

 

After Balbīs, the holy family headedwent to Samannūd, where a well is a source of blessed water. It is said that the well’s water rose byecause of the baby Jesus. Muslims and Christians of Sasmallūt come to receive the blessings by the water. Many other miracles are also said to be done by Jesus in Samannūd.

 

In the steps of the Holy Family, al-Misrī al-Yawm’s team headed to Sakhā then Wādī al-Natrūn then to present modern-day Cairo: al-Matarīyah, al-Zaytūn ,- known for the Holy Virgin’s apparitions, -  MMa‘ādī and then Old Cairo, before heading to Upper Egypt.

 

In Minya, there are two wells, a tree and four churches that are bear traces of the Holy Family. In the current governorate of Minya is Ishnīn al-Nasārá; was the first station place where the Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates the annual miracle of the flooding of the “Holy Well.” The next place was al-Bahnasā and Jabal al-Tayr in the center of Samallūt.

 

Asyut was the final last stationpoint in the trip of the Holy family in Egypt. The Holy family passed by Dayrūt, Sandafā, Sanbū, al-Qūsīyah, Mīr Qasqām hill where they stayed for six months and ten days before going back to Palestine.