In the wake of the sad incident in which a policeman assigned to guard the Church of the Holy Renaissance in Minya province, opened fire on a Coptic contractor and his son, there were many comments on social media including one that surprised me. The comment suggested the replacement of government guard of the churches by private escorts from security companies to ease the burden on the state and avoid the obsession of security personnel. Such suggestion may have came based on good intentions, but I refused it for several reasons. First, the Church is an Egyptian national institution, and the state is entrusted with guarding and protecting its people through the Egyptian police and the national security apparatuses. Second, the suggestion to replace the government guard with private escorts from security companies reflects a completely inappropriate sectarian classification. We all know that there are those who hold radical and extremist ideologies from various professions and trades, including private security companies. Third: As for relieving the burden on the state, it is the responsibility of the state to protect its citizens and churches, especially under the war on terror.On the other hand, it is impossible to provide guards from the private security companies of all churches in all governorates of Egypt, especially in the nights of holidays, where millions of Christians pray and celebrate holidays throughout the country. Above all, the budgets of churches that rely on donations can not cover the expense of private security.

In the past five years, I have written two studies and more than 50 articles on Minya, where media denounce dozens of terrorist and sectarian attack soon before they are forgotten. However, these attacks escalated till two terrorist attacks targeted the Christians near St. Samuel monastery and a corrupt police officer killed two unarmed Copts, a father and a son. Muslims and Christians denounced the unprecedented attacks and showed sympathy with them. Many people describe Minya as governorate of terrorism and extremism, but in fact it is the city of contradictions. It looks very modern from outside, but from inside it looks like Kabul.

I listened to the phone call that president Sisi made on the TV yesterday talking about the lady “ Nehmedo”, who drives a microbus as her own source of living. No one can deny that this lady doing amazing work and many like her in Egypt doing the same which president Sisi praised yesterday. Having said that, President Sisi started to talk about the yellow vest movement in France and declaring that Media has to clarify that this group of people demonstrate because the price in France equal about 30 Egyptian pound and we can t compare their situation with our situation which is true. Unfortunately, and because media now became only one voice, the host: Shreef Amer” couldn t utter a word or revise what president Sisi said. For example, he couldn t say that they have something called “ Minimum wage” which Egypt doesn t have, they have something called “ Unemployment aid” Which Egypt doesn t have. They have “Fair medical care” which Egypt doesn t have. The most sacred thing ever, when someone tells you that we are amazing and everything is great. This is a moment you need to feel we are in danger, because covering the truth will never put us forward. In conclusion, I m calling the free writers to speak loud about the real situation Egypt live through because the next generation will never forget about the silence moment we live in right now.

The scenes on Television from France reminded me of the Egyptian scenario in 2011. However, there may be another factor in common other than violence and burning of police cars. This factor is the existence of the Muslim Brotherhood members. For many years, France has opened it s arms for members of the Muslim Brotherhood though Egypt has declared it a terrorist organization. Does the Muslim Brotherhood organization has something to do with the Yellow Vests protests and how would the government respond to it in that case?

The famous Egyptian leader Saad Zaghloul told his wife that there is no use from taking medicine with his powerful illness. This no use was changed by some people into his negotiations with the Britain High Commissioner to falsely prove he lost his patience during the negotiations. Such unfair twisting is also demonstrated by the people who take half of the facts and ignore the rest of it like those who take half of a verse of the Koran saying: don t pray and ignore the rest of it that says while you are drunk . Thus, the meaning of the verse becomes don t pray !

"Our Lord loves beauty including Peace and goodness. In our country we offer beauty and goodness before the whole world” This was part of the speech given by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi during his visit to the Great Cathedral of St. Mark to congratulate Copts on Christmas. The Coptic church has been trying to motivate its congregation to develop an active participation in all social, political and human activities. For instance, Bishop Moussa of Youth Bishopric gave examples to such active participation like voting in the elections, participating in the political parties, student unions and public syndicates, in addition to civil society associations.

We received news from the parliament that an MP has presented a bill requiring the government to remove religion from national ID cards and official documents. This matches the Egyptian Constitution which stipulates non-discrimination among citizens, and that equal citizenship is the only basis in that account. The Egyptian identity must be considered instead of religious identity. Dr Ismail Nasreddin, presenter of the bill, said that he is supported by more than 200 MPs out of the 596 in the parliament, and assured that removing religion will be in all documents that don t require mentioning religion, not including for instance birth or marriage certificates.

All Media was busy last week talking about the dress of the actress “ Rania Youseef”. All media forget about the severe economic problems that Egypt suffer from and just paid their attention to one of the basics human rights which is the right of wearing what suits you. Unfortunately, the media is poor because they are forbidden to discuss any political or economic problems and that s why this topic became number one to discuss. In fact, President Sisi closed every possibility to discuss or to criticise, otherwise, there are many accusations are ready to put you in the prison without any mercy and without any one can know anything about you. I believe we are in danger situation not because the dress of “ Rania” but because we neglect any serious issue we need to discuss and resort to any nonsense because this is the current atmosphere we live in. In conclusion, I want to admit that Egypt set backward and no longer is an open society which you can discuss anything and accept any opinion or any person as long as he or she didn t hurt you.

Mr. Hanafi is an old man who educates young people about history through his street gallery. He prints photos related to certain political occasions like October 6th war, the revolution of June 30, and even World Wars. Then, he walks in the streets to explain his photos to the people walking in the streets. He says that many people learn from his stories and tell him that the information is new to them, which makes him very happy, but few people make fun of him. The man doesn t have certain place, but all streets of Cairo and all people walking in them are his audience. He talked about events and public figures and even art, and teaches many people who knew nothing about such events and people.

"Our Lord loves beauty including Peace and goodness. In our country we offer beauty and goodness before the whole world” This was part of the speech given by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi during his visit to the Great Cathedral of St. Mark to congratulate Copts on Christmas. The Coptic church has been trying to motivate its congregation to develop an active participation in all social, political and human activities. For instance, Bishop Moussa of Youth Bishopric gave examples to such active participation like voting in the elections, participating in the political parties, student unions and public syndicates, in addition to civil society associations.

In 2016, the Egyptian President formed a presidential committee composed of five members, without any Coptic members. The Committee decided who deserves presidential amnesty. The committee should be linked to the human rights committee of the parliament, but in fact it doesn t. Coptic MPs should have completed to join the committee to express problems and pains of the Copts. Yet, they claim they care when Copts face a calamity, but in fact they take no action to prove they care. On the other hand, the Salafi MPs rush to join this committee to support their friends in prisons. Some Christians received presidential amnesty, but we have to ask what about Girgis Baromi and others in prison whose religion led them to it. Why the anger of Coptic MP Margit Azer raised to solve the problem of street dogs, but moved no muscle to save the rights of Mr. Baromi! The Coptic MPs are doing nothing at the time criminals and members of the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood group are getting amnesty!

Abba Markos, Metropolitan of Shubra Al-Khaimah, is currently visiting the Saudi Arabia after the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the papal headquarters last March. Abba Markos asked for permission of Bin Salman to visit the kingdom and visit the Coptic congregation working there. At the airport, the Coptic bishop was received by senior Egyptian officials and members of the Egyptian community in the Saudi Kingdom. Many people visited Abba Markos to talk with him about Egypt and its efforts of development. The man called everybody to support the Egyptian state led by President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. He also assured that the government is dealing with many accumulated problems. The Bishop showed his knowledge and patriotism in his answers. Many people visited the bishop under extra security measures taken by Saudi Police. This visit coincided with the visit of Saudi Crown Prince to Egypt after the smearing campaign against him aiming to destroy the plans to develop the kingdom supported by its enemies including the Muslim Brotherhood and several terrorist organizations. However, the support of other Arab countries including Egypt and UAE destroyed such evil plans. As I live in the Saudi Kingdom for years, I would say that the Crown Prince brought a revolutionary thinking and development for the kingdom and his mentality will change the entire region. On the other hand, the visit of bishop Markos came to assure tolerance, love and hospitality of the kingdom towards the Egyptian church. His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Alaissi, Secretary General of the Muslim World League, received Bishop Markos and discussed several topics of common interest. It is worth mentioning that the visit will continue until December 6, in which bishop Markos will complete his pastoral visit to the Egyptian community in the Saudi Kingdom. The Kingdom is embracing the human civilization to face any external conspiracy seeking to control the region and its wealth.

I was watching the news when paid my attention news report from National Geographic states that Cairo, Egypt is one of 10 places must see. I was happy to see Egypt among many places recommended as must see. I have tried to see and look at the Egyptian news hoping they can catch the news and start working on it to encourage tourism in Egypt which will help the economy in this rough time that Egypt pass by. Unfortunately, I didn t see this news anywhere in the Egyptian media or on the TV programs. And if the media neglect such news so what kind of news the media would care about among a severe economic crisis Egypt face. In fact, Media was not the only one neglected such news but also the Egyptian government didn t pay any attention of how this news could help Egypt especially, with all bad news coming from Italy to cut the relationship and stop tourism because of Regeni case. In conclusion, I hope someone pay attention to such news and start to work on it as I believe if the government pay attention that will create all of opportunities to Egyptian tourism.

His grandmother raised him well and he was able to win a competition for school students called Abakira the Guinnesses . This competition that was turned into a TV show sponsored by Ahly Bank of Egypt. Back to the young man whose name is Pisso and whose mother got married when he was only 4 and left him to his grand mother to raise him and motivated him to win the competition. Her dreams are far more than such competition since she wants him to be the youngest minister in Egypt. However he received a grant to study at Nile University, he can t receive similar grant to be member of the cabinet! The position in Egypt requires a man who is supported by security services rather than his own qualifications. He should abandon being perfect in order to take this position. Even if he does, he can t change his poor family, which is another obstacle before his dream. His only choice is to get married to a powerful rich woman from one big family. Those have no vision for the country and the only vision that will prevail is the one of those who assigned him to the job! I salute Pisso and his grandmother and invite those who are in charge to choose Pisso as the youngest minister in Egypt.

Tunisia has made a serious movement towards the civil state, resorting to the rule of law and not to the provisions of Islamic Sharia. It has been moving away from all Arab and Islamic countries. It has taken courageous steps towards the application of equality between men and women and has effectively recognized equality in inheritance. According to the Egyptian constitution, such laws cannot be issued since the second article of the constitution is a serious obstacle to the civil state and other laws. If such laws are enacted, they will be described as unconstitutional because the principles of Islamic law are the main source of legislation.

During the celebration of the Prophet s Birthday, President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi delivered a speech that revealed his love for his country and religion. His words came as stabbing knife in the heart of the religious institutions that hinders correcting the religious discourse. He said that problems of the Islamic countries are the wrong interpretation of our religion. He added that extremism and wrong interpretation defame the reputation of Islam and Muslims all over the world. The president added that religious institutions in Egypt hate to change because of their fear of extremists or because they benefit from certain texts in addition to the verses that came to respond to certain conditions and circumstances which have come to an end.

US President Trump choose to defend the Tyrant kings and princes on the expense of human rights and moral. With America first slogan that came with electing president Trump, we started to see a new trend in the American policy which is to disregard her eyes on any human rights violation if that will be in its interest.

I was glad to hear news about the ordination of a new Coptic priest for the ministry in Hong Kong, which proves the church is extending and reaching new places around the world. However, everywhere we travel around the world we can find Coptic churches, but its services are almost limited to the Coptic congregation. I believe this is about to change with the new churches and priests all over the world. The Coptic Church is a very old one and has many unique characteristics, but evangelism is not clearly one of them. This started many years ago with the persecution of the church and due to several political reasons. Yet, we should always remember the words of Jesus Christ to his disciples saying: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Mathew 28: 19)

On 21 October I wrote an article entitled: Question to the church, government and parliament: Where is the personal status law of Christians? I talked about the importance of this law to the Christians in Egypt to allow them to follow their own legislations. This was at the beginning of the recent round of the House of representatives whose plan included the general personal status law. I wondered: where is the dedicated law for the Copts that was mentioned right after the constitution of 2014? If it is still with the church, why is it still waiting out there? If it is by the cabinet, why wasn t it sent to the Parliament? If it is by the Parliament, why it was not passed? After I published that article, I started searching for the answers. I started with the church, though it was not likely to be there; however, it was! Sources in the church told me that the law is still at the church s Court and it was not yet sent to the government, as it is still being revised by the Catholic church, before it is finally passed to the government. In fact, I couldn t understand the reasons behind such delay, which exceeded 4 years. The church is the sole beneficiary and the sole loser from that law. I hope such delay comes to an end and the law is passed soon. Moreover, I hope it will include the equality between men and women concerning the inheritance.

Coptic civilization is a great civilization that came in Egypt and left great impact on Egypt and other nations. However, this great civilization does not receive the due attention from the Egyptian state. It is surprising and even ironic that many countries are interested in the Coptic civilization and establish sections in their universities to study them, but the Egyptian state ignores it and refuse to include them in the curricula and refuse to establish dedicated sections for Coptic civilization in its universities like Pharonic and Islamic sections. An official said once in television interview that Coptic civilization belongs to Christians and we have nothing to do with it! This showed that many Egyptian officials don t consider Coptic civilization part of their own civilization.