Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Press review based on Rose al-Yūsuf, June 1, (p. 3); al-Yawm al-Sābic, June 1, 2010 (p. 4); al-Shurūq al-Jadīd, June 2, 2010 (p. 4) ; al-Misrī al-Yawm, June 1, 2010 (p. 3); al-Ahrām, June 1, 2010 (p. 3); al-Musawwar, June 2, 2010 (p. 16); ‘Ākhir Sācah, June 2, 2010 (p. 18)
 

The press is still reflecting on the Supreme Administrative Court ruling that permits divorced Copts a second marriage.

 

‘Amr Jād, in al-Yawm al-Sābi‘ of June 1, 2010, led with the headline “The fitnah of second marriage sweeps the church following the Administrative Court ruling permitting Copts’ second marriage.”

 

The court ruling is not binding to Pope Shenouda, who rules on these issues according to the Biblical rules and teachings.

 

However, Coptic thinker Jamāl As‘ad stated that religion should facilitate people’s life and not to complicate it, hinting at the possible bad sexual and social consequences of not authorizing second marriage.

 

Father Salīb Mattá Sāwīris of the Coptic Orthodox Church stated that no clergyman can violate the Bible and perform second marriage.

 

Lawyer Nabīl Gabriel stated that the Egyptian law stipulates that Copts’ problems should be solved according to their rules and principles, stating hat the court should not interfere in the church’s private affairs. He added that the ruling is against the church and will stir conflicts amongst Copts. He wondered: “Can the court impose a ruling on the Azhar Grand Imām making prayers six times per day instead of five? Why then should the court interfere in Copts’ religious rites, which are derived from the bible?” Gabriel called on the church to resort to the Constitutional Court.

 

Al-Musawwar of June 2, 2010 reported that there are 50,000 divorce cases for Copts filed in courts; 10.000 of them are cases demanding authorization to a second marriage. [Pope Shenouda put the figure at 4,000]

 

‘Imād Habīb of Al-Musawwar mentioned that the first ruling that gave Copts the right to second marriage was issued by the Administrative Court at the State Council on March 14^th, 2006.

 

On March 1^st, 2008 the Supreme Administrative Court approved the ruling and ordered the church to authorize the second marriage of a Copt called ‘Ātif Kyrillos. After this, Pope Shenouda declared that nothing on Earth can force the church to violate the Bible.

 

Bishop Marqus, responsible of the information affairs in the Coptic Orthodox Church told al-Musawwar that he wished the unified law for personal status for non-Muslims were issued instead of having arguments about this court ruling, which violates church rules.

 

Bishop Marqus stated that the ruling and the Church’s stance toward it will not lead to a clash with the government because civil marriage can still be performed according to the ruling; while nothing can force the church to change its doctrine.

 

For his part, Pope Shenouda III confirmed the Coptic Orthodox Church’s adherence to its doctrine and the Biblical rules. Pope Shenouda called on the Supreme Administrative Court to apply the Islamic Sharī‘ah that stipulates that ahl al-Dhimmah should be treated according to their rules and doctrine according to the Qur’ānic verse: ““Let the People of the Gospel judge by that which Allah hath revealed therein. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are evil-livers.” 47, The Meaning of the Glorious Qur&rsquo;ān by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall, <a href="http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/pick/005.htm">http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/pick/005.htm</a> .

 

In the course of his half-monthly sermon in Alexandria, Pope Shenouda warned clergymen against performing second marriages for divorced Copts, noting that any clergymen who violate the Bible and the doctrine will be defrocked.