Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

On November 4, 1981, Amīn Fakhrī, Dr. Samuel Habīb, head of the Evangelical denomination, Amīn Fahīm, head of al-Sa‘īd association, George Habīb and Monk Yūhannā all met together in Mīrīt Ghālī’s house and decided to take an initiative step in reconciling the Church and the State. This delegation tried to determine the roots of the problem in order to reach a solution, especially after the time Pope Shenouda was kept in the monastery, in 1981. This informal meeting discussed the Israeli plan to divide the Middle East, the expatriate Copt situation  and the accusation that the Church was planning to establish a Coptic state in Upper Egypt. The minutes of the meeting focused on the Church situation from the state and referred to the strict situation of the Pope regarding decrees and statements by the president. The meeting reached a solution, being that the Pope should meet with the members of the Community Council to settle the accusation against the Church for establishing a Coptic state in Upper Egypt. The document of the meeting addressed other issues between the Church and  state and tackled the issue of the Pope’s dismissal from his office by presidential decree.