Egyptian newspapers highlighted contradictory situation of the ultra conservative al-Nour Party between attacking the Copts and calling them infidels from one hand, and asking for their support in the parliamentary elections on the other hand.

Ahmed A. member of al-Nour party was arrested in Aswan for paying electoral bribes in front of electoral polls.

Elderly and people with special needs participated actively in first stage of the parliamentary elections in Egypt.

Naguib Sawiris, Coptic businessman and founder of the Free Egyptians Party, filed a complaint today to the Attorney General against the Salafi Nour Party, and its spokesperson Nader Bakkar.

International Religious Freedom Report said that circumstances of the Coptic Christians have improved after the ouster of former President Mohamed Morsy.

A number of Coptic activists attacked Coptic members of al-Nour ultra conservative party after head of the party attacked the Copts in his interview to German newspaper.

Dr. Younes Makhioun, head of the Salafi al-Nour Party, said that newspapers misrepresented his recent remarks on the Copts.

Margaret Azer, former MP, said that al-Nour ultra conservative party doesn’t believe in equal citizenship. She added that Coptic members of the Islamic party have betrayed their country by supporting this party that incites against Christians and prohibit congratulating them on their feasts.

Maj. Gen. Magdi Abdul Ghaffar, Minister of the Interiors, promised to protect the Copts during the voting process, and that security forces won’t allow preventing them from reaching the polling places.

Nader Sairafi, founder of "Copts 38" movement, said that the movement doesn’t attack the church, but rather seeks its reform.

Father Poulos Halim, spokesman for the Coptic Orthodox Church, said that the Church does not interfere in politics and stands at the same distance from all the candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Pope Francis prays for Christians of the Middle East calling to discard the escalating violence in the Middle East.

Anba Moussa, Bishop of Youth in the Coptic Orthodox Church, said that Pope Tawadros prevented the churches from supporting certain candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Father Royce Markos, Deputy of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate in Alexandria, said that the church will not allow any candidate to hold electoral conferences or election propaganda inside the church.

Islamic group said in a statement that it would not participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections or support the Salafi Nour Party or any of the other parties.

Engineer Ashraf Thabet, member of the Presidential Council for al-Nour Party, claimed that there are no previous problems between the party and the Copts.

Cairo Criminal Court resumed this week the trial of 25 defendants on charges with planning for several terrorist attacks against tourists and Copts in Cairo.

Al-Nour ultra conservative party is currently facing its old fatwas to call the Copts infidels and inciting against them. They were also accused of despising the national anthem and trading on religion to achieve political interests.

Mahmoud Abdul Hamid Emara, candidate of al-Nour party in Mahal, was summoned by Mahala court to investigate a report by a man that Emara tried to seduce his wife to have an affair with him.

Helmy Nemnem, Egypt‘s Minister of Culture, said that the Salafis are known to be against women and Copts. He added that the party can’t change its ideology just because some Copts decided to support it in the elections.

Abram Makar, Coptic activist in Canada, said that the Copts abroad are getting ready to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections.