Some two months ago I met in Cairo a group of Swiss media persons who were preparing a TV programme on Christianity in the Middle East. It was normal that our conversation would run on the theme of freedom of belief in Egypt, especially regarding the freedom to conduct religious rites and build churches.

The promotion of scientific research has today become a persistent demand, as reiterated by the intelligentsia as well as by State officials. Putting aside financial matters, there seems to be a vicious circle that has to be broken at one point in order to reach such a goal.

Beginning with a phrase to be said to stop any of those hunt in swamp water as we refuse and deny the decision taken by the Swiss government to ban building minarets over the mosques that are newly built. If there is a banning decree it shouldn't be applied on all the cases but it

My question for Switzerland and other European countries enthralled by the right wing: When did Saudi Arabia become your role model? Even before 57.5 percent of Swiss voters cast ballots on Sunday to ban the building of minarets by

The writer tends to believe that a joyful celebration is held in heaven on November 24th, 2009 – Hathor 15th, 1726 A.M. on the Coptic calendar- for the beloved of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Saint Menas (285-309 A.D.). Copts all over the world join this joyful celebration for the 1700th anniversary for the

I have previously written during the crisis of Abu Fana monastery in Minya governorate, and the trail to bury three monks alive, or to force them to pronounce the two pillars of faith of confession Islam so they

In the run-up to talks with Iran last month, many in Europe and the United States asked whether Iran would, or even could, come clean on its nuclear activities. Should the West trust Iranian promises? The short answer is "no." But the underlying question is "Why not?"

Last week I wrote about the booklets which are distributed to pedestrians or commuters in town free of charge, and which brim with material that strongly promotes fundamentalist, extremist thought. According to the information cited in a sample booklet which I tackled, it was printed in a printshop in Alexandria. I can vouch that the booklet was printed under

This past Thursday 13 American Soldiers were killed and another 30 wounded at a horrific mass shooting at US Army installation, Ft Hood Texas. As I watched in horror and then anger I recalled my two years of final service in the Army as a Battalion Commander at Ft Hood, 2002-2004.

A 15-year-old Egyptian girl, Dina el-Gohary, has written an emotional appeal to President Obama asking him to use his influence to save her father, Maher el-Gohary, who is being persecuted for his beliefs. "Mr.

THE Egyptian nation should appreciate President Hosni Mubarak 's warning that an ever-increasing population is slowing down the immense efforts being made to enhance the economic,social and health

Let's think about the events that followed the Egypt-Algeria soccer match in Sudan differently from the discourse that is now taking place in Egypt.

In the early 1970s, I was an editor in the research department of el-Gomhoreya newspaper. We were cramped in a small room and were often visited by the paper's major writers when they came to submit

Heads and senior members of opposition parties have disgraced themselves by announcing that they are looking for suitable nominees for the next presidential elections in Egypt. Being a matter of urgency,

Just before Easter, Human Rights Service (HRS), the Oslo-based foundation for which I serve as information director, got a tip about what was described as an intense pressure to wear hijab at Vahl

While the debate rages about the White House policy regarding conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, a very real war is being waged here in America…by President Obama and his appointees.

The extremist thought which spreads a culture of hate and discourages accepting the ‘other’ is now on the rise. It has been steadily infiltrating our society, streets, public transportation, and even private cars.

CAIRO: In October, the American Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released its comprehensive report, “Mapping the Global Muslim Population.” The ambitious project numbers both the population and

The high rates of air pollution in Egypt are common knowledge. But it is very much distressing to realise that they are the highest worldwide.According to the Economist, Cairo tops the list of the worst 55

ONE of the biggest persistent challenges facing Egypt is the water shortage that curbs any development,especially agriculture. Some parts of the Delta have started to suffer a shortage of irrigation

About a month ago, one of my friends inquired about the reason for my absence in the funeral procession of celebrated Egyptian artist and art critic Ahmed Fouad Selim. "Selim died two weeks ago,"