Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

In response to the decision, the Azhar issued a strongly worded statement of rejection. Dr. Mahmūd 'Azab, Consultant of the Azhar's Grand Shaykh, described this decision as a kind of brute force and savagery.

In addition, the Family House initiative [include Christian and Muslim symbols like Dr. Mahmūd Hamdī Zaqzūq and Bishop Armiyā] issued a statement refusing this decision.

Father Rafīq Greish, director of the press office of the Catholic Church in Egypt, stated that all the Egyptian people refuse this kind of decision, adding that the Christians in Egypt are not a minority and the U.S. has a bitter history with Christians in the Middle East.

As for Archpriest Salīb Mattá Sawirus, Member of the General Coptic Orthodox Church Council, Patron of the Mari Girgis Church in Giyushi, said that this decision is completely rejected by Egyptian Copts, their affairs is an internal issue. He added that this decision is a part of a U.S. scheme to divide the Arab world.

Archpriest Sawirus added that Coptic Orthodox Pope Kyrillos V responded to the attempt of General Sir Francis Reginald Wingate [usually known as Reginald Wingate, was a British general and administrator in Egypt and the Sudan during the British mandate over Egypt] to divide Egypt and said "I prefer that my Coptic sons die at the hands of their Muslim brothers rather than live under the occupiers."

As for Maurice Sādiq, President of the National Coptic Assembly in U.S. and Human Rights Center for National Unity in Cairo; he welcomes the decision and believe that its a new step to impose protection on Egypt.