Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

The students formed groups and headed to their Coptic colleagues and invited them to return to school without any fears or concerns.

The governor, who also visited a number of Coptic houses, called on the teachers during a meeting to show presence in the school on January 4 without any worries. [Muhammad Munīr, Al-Akhbār, Jan. 3, p. 4] Read original text in Arabic

Meanwhile, Maj. General Ahmad Sālim al-Nāghī, Director of al-Qalyubia security Department, said security agencies did not spot any assaults on stores in the governorate’s capital Banhā or any smashing of Christmas trees outside churches. 

“Conditions on the streets are very normal and nothing that might spoil the Christmas celebrations, in or outside the churches, has taken place. 

The Salafī al-Nūr Party official spokesman said the self-styled Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPVPV) had nothing to do with the reported assaults, adding “these rumors were meant to attain parliamentary election advances”. [‘Abd al-Nabī al-Shahāt, Al-Jumhūrīyah, Jan. 3, p. 3] Read original text in Arabic

A St. Mark Cathedral source welcomed initiatives by the January 25 revolution youths to protect the cathedral, emphasizing Coptic Orthodox Pope Shenouda III’s confidence in the interior ministry and the army and, above all, God in the protection of the Eastern Coptic Christmas Mass on January 7. 

The source said there will be cooperation with the security guards of the cathedral, in addition to the help of metal detectors, noting entry into the papal seat will be strictly via special invitations. [‘Imād Khalīl and Sarah Jamīl, Al-Misrī al-Yawm, Jan. 3, p. 3] Read original text in Arabic

However, the Maspero Youth Union announced it will boycott the Christmas celebrations at the cathedral in the Cairo district of al-‘Abbāssīyah in reactions to the church’s invitations for the Muslim Brotherhood, the Salafīs and leaders of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to attend the Mass. 

“We will boycott the celebrations in a step alternative for a sit-in inside the cathedral,” a leading Union member, Dr. Antoine ‘Ādil, said in statements, adding young Copts will organize protests and will be donned in black during the next few days. [‘Abd al-Wahāb Sha’bān, Al-Wafd, Jan. 3, p. 3] Read original text in Arabic