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19.
WATANI Sunday
Published by
Watani Printing
and Publishing Corporation 5 March 2006
27, Abdel Khaleq Tharwat st. Editor-in-chief Managing Editor
Cairo – Egypt 26 Amsheer 1722
Tel. 202-3927201, 202-3936051 Youssef Sidhom Samia Sidhom 5 Safar 1427
Fax 202-3935946 YEAR 6
Website: www.watani.com.eg ISSUE 264
E-Mail: watanie@watani.com.eg
Editorial
Did you hear that …?
Killed in the cradle Nader Shukry Cairo went into a Long lost confidence
panic lately in the Egypt has always been good ground for
Emad Khalil wake of news that rumours, but more so in recent years when
Youssef Sidhom the Nile water was political or religious issues ruled. Samira
contaminated with bird-flu virus shortly after Luqa, manager of the cultural development
The new tax law issued last June put taxation—one of the hitherto the first confirmed diagnosis of the disease centre of the Coptic Evangelical Association,
most disreputable practices in Egypt—in a different light. At the time, in domestic poultry in Egypt. Rumours flew stressed the importance of confronting rum-
I wrote about the law, and congratulated finance minister Dr Youssef following a television announcement that ours, since they can pose a real threat to
Botrous-Ghali on his success in infusing the law with a new user- dead fowls had been thrown into the river social stability. It is sad, she said, that the
friendly vision. The law was heralded by a wide media campaign. and polluted the water supply. In spite of the media frequently initiates rumours to provide
The new law came as a long-needed reconciliation between the appearance of officials on both radio and TV sensational stories and thus raise circulation.
Egyptian citizen and the State, promising to put an end to the hateful to deny the rumours, Egyptians stormed su- Rumours propagate quickly among Egyp-
role of the State as tyrannical tax collector. Taxpayers no longer had permarkets and grocery shops to buy any tians, Ms Luqa said, because there is a
any excuse to evade paying their taxes, since the new law accorded quantities of mineral water they could get. chronic shortage of accurate data. Long years
them protection, respect, credibility, and fairness. Tax evasion was Some declared tap water undrinkable; others of lack of transparency on the part of the
thus rendered the dishonourable crime deserving of harsh penalty that added that it should not be used in cooking, government and an extensive history of false
it is. and some went to the point of claiming bath- official proclamations have resulted in an
Last December, the executive discipline of implementing the new ing or washing would cause infection. absolute loss of trust in official declarations.
tax law was issued. Taxpayers and accountants rushed to familiarise Moreover, Ms Luqa said, Egyptians are not
themselves with it. There were no prejudices against the law or fears Flying rumours trained to critically analyse information.
of the manner in which it was to be applied; in fact there was wide- Rumours were the focus of a three-day
spread optimism regarding tax-related issues. I was only wary of the seminar held by the cultural development Learn to reason
attitude of the tax authority staff, and whether or not they would be committee of the Coptic Evangelical As- Dr Ahmed Shawki said that political,
able to radically change their long tradition of distrusting and tyran- sociation in Alexandria. Dr Adel al- economic and social pressures contribute to
nising the taxpayers. Madani, head of the psychiatry de- the spread of rumours. He believes that
When I finally held the new tax declaration form in my hand, dis- partment at Al-Azhar University, said analytical thinking, which relies on clarity,
appointment set in. Unexpectedly, I found I was unable to make head or that throughout history rumours blos- logic and precision, is an essential factor to
tail of it; it appeared complicated to a degree hitherto unprecedented. I somed in times of war and public crises. determine the true meanings of facts and
could not figure out any reason for such complication, so I assumed He said that, in order for rumours to evaluate them objectively. However, Egyp-
that the taxpayer was required to consult a chartered accountant. This flourish, a fertile soil of ambiguity concerning cru- reaction. A would-be rumour loses about 70 per tians lack creativity and critical thinking owing to
appeared reasonable enough since the new law stipulated that a cial issues that preoccupy people was pre- cent of the original story as it is carried from one the rote national educational system. Ms Luqa
chartered accountant should be held legally responsible for the verac- required. Dr Madani explained that a rumour usu- person to another and, in the process, certain de- suggested developing a climate that teaches youth to
ity of the data on the declaration form, equally with the taxpayer, as a ally starts in a homogeneous social community tails are emphasised to serve particular motives acquire an analytical outlook and to scrutinise re-
precondition for approval of the form by the tax authority. and aims at attaining an emotional and volatile and capture the attention of the targeted people. ceived information.
I took the matter to a friend who is a chartered accountant and heads
a prominent accounting and auditing firm. My friend told me that
accountants and auditors were very upset with the complications in
the application of the new tax law which he said, threatened to abro- Japanese cultural festival
gate the facilities provided in principle by the law. It is beyond the
scope of this article to go into the details of the accounting intricacies
involved in the tax declaration, but accountants see these intricacies as
equally confusing to taxpayer and accountant, and bound to land them
both in trouble due to legal violations.
On Saturday 25 February, a large assembly of accountants and au-
Dolls and music
ditors convened at their syndicate headquarters in Cairo. The com-
merce syndicate head and the head of the accountants and auditors
division at the syndicate headed the convention. The attendants
expressed their absolute discontent with the legal responsibility the
accountant is charged with hand in hand with the taxpayer regarding
the veracity of the data declared in the tax form. They claimed that it
was practically impossible to hold the accountant accountable for such
data, since his or her role was restricted to carrying out the accounting
according to the data submitted by the taxpayer in the first place.
There was no way the accountant could be held responsible for this
data. They also protested the fact that the new tax declaration form
violated the Egyptian standards of accounting and auditing which had Cairo audiences are enjoying a variety of Jap- Japanese dolls
been issued and approved when the present finance minister was anese cultural activities as part of the month- An exhibition entitled "The Kingdom of Dolls" was
economy minister in the 1990s. long Japanese Cultural Festival, which will run held from 10 to 20 February in the Art Gallery of the
The assembly commissioned a delegation to meet the finance min- until mid-March. Cairo Opera House. Japan enjoys a rich culture of dolls;
ister, explain the accountants’ and auditors’ viewpoint, and demand The Cairo Opera House is hosting Japanese each has its own particular meaning and purpose, and is
amending the tax declaration forms and the new tax law application soloists in several concerts of classical and deeply connected to everyday life. Dolls are not only
discipline. The assembly was considered in convention until this eve- Japanese traditional music. Last Wednesday toys, but also work of art to be displayed and admired. Doll-making is
ning, when the most recent developments will be reviewed. The ac- Dai Yamamoto, one of the finest young players of a highly rated artistic craft. Doll exhibitions are a form of competi-
countants and auditors assembled announced their refusal to approve the shamisen, a three-stringed Japanese instrument, tion where craftsmen show off their finest techniques.
or sign any tax declaration forms until the situation is cleared up. performed the traditional "Tsugaru Shamisen" at the On 3 March each year, families with daughters in Japan celebrate the
The problem is not the sole concern of accountants or auditors, but di- Small Hall. The music is characterised by its dynamic "Hina Matsuri", or Doll Festival, a traditional custom dating back 1,000 years.
rectly affects taxpayers. The end-of-March—in some cases end-of- rhythm and soulful sound. On this day, each family puts a number of dolls on display, placing a male-
April—deadline for presenting tax declaration forms is swiftly ap- Yesterday, pianist Yurie Miura accompanied the Cairo Orchestra Sym- female pair of Hina dolls at the top of the display, which represents a sign of their
proaching. If the problem is not quickly resolved, countless Egyptians will phony conducted by Jan Stulen to play Chopin’s Concerto for Piano and prayers for the happiness of their young daughters. And for the boys a "Tango no
find themselves in unfortunate predicaments, and the new tax law upon Orchestra No.1 in E Minor, op. 11. And on 14 March, Yuji Tsunemi on Senko", or Boy’s Festival, is held each 5 May. Families with sons display splen-
which such high hopes had been set would have been killed in the cradle. the oud and Kei Wada on the req will join Egyptian players in an Arab did sets of miniature armoured and costumed soldiers, and offer prayers that their
music concert at the Arab Music Institute. sons will grow strong and healthy.
Safety: Too costly With the recent visit of Condoleeza Rice to Cairo,
Watani’s Youth Parliament takes a close look at
Egypt-US relations
Last Tuesday, the Cairo Watani that such collisions
bound train ran into the Iman Hanna rarely occur in developed
Port Saïd bound train near countries, where strict
the town of Abu Hummus, 150km safety measures are implemented
northwest Cairo, on the Cairo Alex- electronically. In Egypt, train safety
andria line. The reason, according is still handled manually due to poor Bilateral relations are multidimensional in nature because of hardly have an impact on the Egyptian economy, since the aid
to officials, was a signal failure and funding. Mr Gadu explained in detail mutual interests and the need to implement stability, security and Rosaline Girgis amounts to a mere three per cent of Egypt’s GDP—and part of it is
fog. Twenty injured people were the train safety system in Egypt, economic co-operation. Egyptian-US relations were the focus of kicked back to the US in the form of contracts granted to Amer-
carried to the hospital; 14 were which primarily depends on the Amal Basaly
discussion of a recent session of Watani’s Youth Parliament. One ican suppliers.
discharged by the afternoon. The human element, using block controls
trains had left the previous station and manual semaphore signals. There participant pointed out that Egyptian-US relations went back a very
five minutes apart. The injuries is a plan, he said, to implement auto- long way. Yet it must be noted that Democratic administrations had suc- Lack of trust
were in the two rear carriages of the mated control systems, but this has so ceeded in establishing more stable relations with Egypt than Republicans, he Some participants remarked that America needed to change, develop and
Port Said train. The accident far been only executed on two short said. Other members described America as a country of institutions, not reform its policy in the Middle East. They said it should bear in mind that re-
shocked and grieved Egyptians, lines, one in Upper Egypt and one in individuals. Certain constants govern its foreign policy and do not change forms could not be enforced from outside but should begin at home, and there
who were still reeling in the after- the Delta region. The complete plan, even when the president changes. The only change is in the tactics and the had to be mutual trust between Egypt and the US.
math of the sinking of the al-Salam he said, awaits adequate funding. style of managing relations. The symposium discussed why a large number of Egyptians were entirely
ferry and the drowning of some "This is not the first time trains against the US. This was considered to be due to the lack of American cred-
1000 passengers on board last collide because of signal failure," AID ibility in the Middle East, and the blatant US bias towards Israel. The war in
February, and the bird flu outbreak General Hamdi al-Tahhan of the One female member pointed out that relations between Egypt and the US had Iraq only made things worse, and the issues such as Abu-Ghraib confirmed al-
announced two weeks ago. People’s Assembly transportation been strong ever since President Sadat signed the 1979 Camp David Accords. legations of American double standards. Civilisational conflict and American
committee said. In fact, he reminded, That period witnessed an increase in the economic and military aid to Egypt, policies in the region after the wars in the Gulf, Afghanistan, and the Iraqi
Too costly the last train accident in Upper which reached to $2.2 billion—one billion and 200 million dollars in the form occupation, served to widen the gap between the US and the Muslim and Arab
Kamal Heshamat Gadu, trans- Egypt two years ago was also due to of weapons, and the remaining billion in the form of aid to the agricultural, people.
portation expert and former head of signal failure. The issue, he said, industrial, commercial and educational sectors. It was asked how Egypt would The session ended by demanding a more objective media role as a means of
the Egyptian Railways Authority told will be placed before Parliament. be affected if the aid were cancelled. Some economists say that this would bridging the link with other cultures and narrowing the gap between them.
Secularism revisited Developing Countries." The attendants dis- from Jordan to Syria and then to Tur- Airlines plane off the coast of Sharm al-
Last Wednesday, the first conference on cussed the roles of government, pooling and key—by the end of 2006. Turkey will serve Sheikh in Sinai, in which 148 people lost Abu-Bakr Ezzat
N "Establishing secularism in Egypt" was held
in Cairo by the Ibn-Rushd (Averreos)
funding, as well as insurance and re-insurance
in managing catastrophes—natural or man-
as a transit point for Egyptian natural gas
exports to Europe.
their lives two years ago, cited technical
failure. The report indicated failure in the (1933-2006)
Last Tuesday, comedian Abu-Bakr Ezzat
E forum, the Egyptian enlightenment society,
and the Misr al-Umm (Mother Egypt)
made. AIRDC was founded in 1980 and
boasts 120 insurance companies as members. Black box
automatic pilot and guiding system, so that
there was not enough time for the pilot to passed away following a sudden heart attack
party—still awaiting official license. The Late last month, the data recorder known counter the problem. The final report will upon which he was transferred to al-Safa
W conference aimed at establishing an active Turkey buys gas as the black box of the doomed Al-Salam
98 ferry which sank with some 1,000 pas-
be published next March. The doomed
flight carried 135 French tourists and was
Hospital in Mohandiseen where he breathed his
last. His death came as a shock to his family
secular movement in Egypt. Egypt and Turkey have signed a mem-
S Against disasters
orandum of understanding on establishing a
company to transfer Egyptian natural gas to
sengers in the Red Sea last January was
found 800-metres deep under water. British
chartered by the Egyptian Flash Airlines
company which has since gone bankrupt.
and friends since he had hitherto been in good
health. Ezzat starred in several of the best plays
and French experts used a robot to recover in modern Egyptian theatre, including Formal
L The 15th Insurance Congress of Devel-
oping Countries, organised by the Association
Turkey. Discussions are underway to in-
clude Syria and Romania in the new com- the Box which will be analysed in the Digitising history Dress Required and The Hornet, as well as
films prominent among which Women’s
of Insurers and Re-Insurers of Developing pany, which would enable Egypt to export London-based headquarters of the manu- "The Alexandria Library has digitised
I Countries (AIRDC) opened in Cairo last
Sunday. Some 1,000 people from the industry
two to four billion cubic metres a year of
natural gas to southern Europe. Petroleum
facturing company. A fact-finding com- contemporary and modern Egyptian
mittee investigating the tragic incident history from the 19th century to date,"
Market and The Chase. He won the best actor
award in the 2004 Cairo International Film
Festival for his role in The Woman and the
N in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America
attended the four-day event, the theme of
minister Sameh Fahmi said that Egypt will
supply Greece with natural gas after com-
began its work last month. Library Director Ismail Serageddin said
last month. There are up to 35,000 rare
Knife. He is succeeded by his widow Kawthar
which was "Towards Effective Insurance pletion of a pipeline—part of the third stage Technical failure Haikal who is a writer and novelist, and two
reference books and manuscripts on CDs
E Protection against Major Catastrophes for of the Arab natural gas pipeline extending The final report on the crash of the Flash now.
daughters, Mrs Khaled Montasser and Mrs
Khaled al-Itribi.
Coptophile column, Aghapy TV (p2); Joining freedom and respect, Democracy in a cartoon, Trading respect for fear (p3); Egyptology, Samha al-Kholy, Watani Mail ( p4)
20.
2 Watani International 5 March 2006
The Coptophile Column Aghapy Television Broadcasts Love
By John H. Watson to a World in Need
The present writer confesses to an
addiction for modern literature, spe-
Seven Reasons Why I Rejoice in Aghapy TV
cifically for an extraordinary range
of contemporary religious or ‘faith’ Broadcasting its message to four continents since November
novels.
A current candidate for a 2006
2005, the Coptic TV channel aspires to reach North America
United Kingdom literary prize is
Tahar Ben Jelloun, who wrote Cette America in the future.
By Saad Michael Saad If you live in a part of the world
aveuglante absence de Lumiere
(This Blinding Absence of Light), a where Aghapy TV is not yet avail-
novel inspired by the tale of the im- For a world besieged by turmoil, war, able, here is a modest substitute: visit
prisonment of one of the prisoners terror, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurri- their website, www.aghapy.tv, to
at Tazmamart Prison, situated far out canes, and an epidemic of bird flu; a watch sample programs, and regis-
in the Moroccan wasteland. This ex- Coptic television channel that broad- ter so the channel may get your feed-
traordinary work of fiction is con- casts love, light, joy, peace, forgive- back, including getting to know the
cerned with a breathtaking, veiled ness, reconciliation, and, yes, repent- enthusiasm of viewers worldwide.
moment in time that is Islamic, Sufi ance, could not be more welcome. You can make a difference.
and mystical. But why a Coptic TV channel?
A further ‘faith novel’ is that of the There are at least seven reasons... What a family joy when the
2002 Nobel prize winner for Litera- youngsters spend their childhood
ture Imre Kertész. The exceptional First, the Coptic World, has a years surrounded by Coptic music,
Hungarian novel Sorstalanság unique, rich and ancient civilization, hymns, art, and films that plant in
(Fatelessness) is the narrative of a and has expanded to the ends of the them the seeds of spirituality and
teenage storyteller who portrays the earth with its 10-12 million faithful feed them with knowledge of their
escalating onslaught upon all East- adherents. It is long overdue for a heritage.
ern European Jews in Nazi concen- 24 hour worldwide TV broadcast. The whole family would gather in Aghapy TV is under the capa-
tration camps during the 1940s. Second, the six billion inhabitants spiritual fellowship around Aghapy ble supervision of His Grace
Imre Kertész remembers the expe- of planet Earth need to be exposed to TV. They would watch a Bible study Bishop Botros.
rience. Coptic treasures including its civili- conducted in Cairo, then an exhibit
An equally powerful piece of work zation, culture, spirituality, struggles, of Coptic icons in Madrid, then
is that of James Meek, a British jour- hopes, frustrations, and the cross the songs for the young from Alexan- the kingdom and patience of Jesus
nalist working in Russia and the Copts have carried for 2000 years dria, then games full of spiritual Christ” (Revelation 1:9).
Ukraine, who has produced The with joy and pride. Many of the peo- stimulation and virtue taped in Paris,
People’s Act of Love, a further hymn ples around the world, who are then a fascinating chapter of Coptic What a glory, then, that may be
to humanity that concerns a sect of searching to learn about the reality history by a specialist from Wadi el manifest to the world via Aghapy TV
castrates. of Egyptian Christianity and the roots Natrun, then a chorus from Sydney as was revealed in St. John’s epis-
If international novels can be suc- of world Christianity, would find in today, from Assiut tomorrow, from tles: “God is love. Whoever lives in
cessfully translated into English, a Coptic channel a resource that is Los Angeles the day after, and from love lives in God, and God in him
and hopefully into a number of other not available otherwise. Shobra next Sunday. (1 John 4:15-17).
The Yacoubian Building by Alaa Al Aswany, 255 pages, The Ameri-
languages, then twenty-first century Third, the majority of TV channels Aghapy TV correspondents would Similarly, as the internet opened
can University in Cairo Press, 2004.
literature will be both completed and present on the screen the dark side of cover Coptic events around the so many avenues for goodness when
The novel relates powerfully to all the finest examples of interna-
fulfilled. Christian, Jewish and Mus- the world, and the minority present world. And to my personal delight, we never knew that such avenues ex-
tional religious literature. It is a flawless masterpiece.
lim novels have much to teach us, world civilizations and God’s glory they would cover activities of Coptic isted, we anticipate, hope, dream,
though perhaps Buddhist novels - manifest in His creation. studies at universities and Coptic pray, work, participate, and even
prospects after the 1952 Officers’ weight of loathing and persecution. Fourth, generation after generation centers and conferences worldwide. sacrifice to achieve all the goodness
like Ko Un’s Little Pilgrim (Trans-
Revolution led by General Neguib of Coptic immigrants around the And it has happened already. In that could come from Aghapy TV.
lated by Brother Anthony of Taizé)
and in the continuing revolution led The book’s characters have all world need to become acquainted less than four months, Aghapy TV
- have even more to teach people of
by President Abdel Nasser. Zaki is lived in the Yacoubian Building and with their identity as Copts, touch the has connected the Coptic world with You too, the interested reader, can
any faith.
a sentimental womaniser, but he is the narrative is both powerful and roots of their Coptic existence, and a network of love which is transmit- participate in the success of this great
also one who finds out exactly how poetic. But this is an international connect with other Coptic realities ting pulses of life; unifying the ministry in many ways. Start by vis-
‘Imarat Ya’qubyan (Arabic 2002),
things go wrong in Egyptian soci- novel, portraying the strengths and worldwide. This connectivity must be hopes, passion, thoughts, and com- iting the website www.aghapy.tv to
The Yacoubian
ety. He finally weaknesses of all mankind. It could learn more and see how you can pro-
Building (English
finds an under- justifiably be compared with the vide programs, ideas, and financial
2004) was written
by Alaa Al
The Yacoubian Build- standable and Russian world of Mikhail support. You may also like to take
ing is an international honest love in his Bulgakov, the French universe of advantage of the current visit to
Aswany and
novel, portraying the relationship with a Albert Camus or the English land- America by Aghapy TV Executive
translated by
much younger and scape of Graham Greene: but all of Director, Father Bishoy el-Antony,
Humphrey strengths and weak-
transparently open them transcend the narrower con- who can be reached at: 201-456-
Davies. Al nesses of all mankind. woman named fines of any single nation or reli- 9439.
Aswany was a It transcends the nar- Busayna el Sayed. gion. In the United States, you may
dentist whose first rower confines of any Secularised The Yacoubian Building portrays make a charitable contribution to
surgery was in the
single nation or reli- Copts and Mus- love and compassion compared Aghapy TV by sending a check to
Yacoubian Build-
gion. lims appear in the with violence and hatred. Religious Aghapy TV, P.O. Box 6541, Orange,
ing itself, and this
novel and their ex- and political corruption end in great California 92863.
location became
pressions of faith tragedy and ruin. It is clear that Alaa Even if you personally cannot
the subject of his
have an admirable Al-Aswany is a brave writer and a 24 hours a day, all year round. passion among all Copts; and in- watch Aghapy TV for the time be-
second novel. Humphrey Davies
element of gentleness and simplic- frank critic of all religion and poli- Fifth, the glory of God manifest in forming viewers about Coptic ing in the United States, your
earned his doctorate in Near East-
ity that is far from the worlds of in- tics. The Yacoubian Building is all the Coptic experience over 2000 achievements and challenges. monthly subscription, paid auto-
ern Studies from the University of
stitutionalised religion. Coptic of human life, and the entire mod- years is worthy of being broadcast so And the world at large is finding matically as a standing order, would
California, Berkley and has pro-
Christians and Muslims do pray in ern world made known in micro- that it may contribute to the build- in Aghapy TV a resource for know- pay for others to watch the program
duced an outstanding English trans-
the Yacoubian building and hope cosm. ing, enriching and healing of the ing God, enlightenment, education, for free. This is a well needed serv-
lation, which deserves the title of
survives in their The compelling world, and the restoration of its soul positive focus, good citizenship; all ice especially inside Egypt.
“masterpiece”.
simple faith. images in this admi- and conscience. according to the richness of 2000 ___
‘Imarat Ya’qubyan relates power-
A central figure in rable novel are the Sixth, the Coptic population inside years of Coptic witness. Dr. Saad Michael Saad writes for
fully to all the finest examples of in-
ternational religious literature listed
the novel is Hatim Coptic Christians great and sprawling Egypt, being deprived of any sign of Watani from Los Angeles. An Ara-
Rasheed a widely and Muslims do city of Cairo, the ex- its existence in the Egyptian media The mission of Aghapy TV is also bic version of this article was pub-
above. It is a flawless masterpiece.
respected newspa- pray in the pansive countryside except in negative terms, deserve of a prophetic nature. The channel lished in Watani of 5 February 2006,
per editor. He was Yacoubian build- of the land of the much better than that to nourish their is worthy of such a mission, being page 8.
The Yacoubian Building is not
the son of an Egyp- Pharaohs and even souls, inspire their imagination, and under the guidance of His Holiness
simply the title of a novel. The ing and hope sur-
tian lawyer and the modern world it- support their peaceful and civilized Pope Shenouda III, who for more
building itself really does exist to- vives in their sim-
day in Egypt. Hagop Yacoubian, an Frenchwoman, but self. The narrative re- way of life. than sixty years carried the burden Watani International
as a homosexual he ple faith. veals tenement, city, Seventh, the Islamic population in- of prophetic mission of Coptic and
Armenian Christian millionaire, liv-
ing in the heart of downtown Cairo, knows that he lives country and world as side Egypt, being deprived of learn- national media. His Holiness is still Page 2 Editor
a m p h i t h e a t r e s , ing any thing positive from the Egyp-
decided to erect an apartment block in constant danger, carrying it, not as super imposed on Saad Michael Saad
that would bear his name in1934. He and the narrative that carries mazes and ruins, from which the tian media about their Coptic his responsibilities as a Patriarch of
Cairene novelist salvages all man- neighbors, specially the reality of
chose a magnificent site on Rasheed along is indeed disturbing. the See of St. Mark, but as an or- Page 3 Editor
kind. Humphrey Davies beautifully their religion, spiritual life, culture, ganic element of those responsibili-
Suleiman Basha and employed an Adel Guindy
Italian engineering firm to build it. The tragedy in the narrative is renders this masterpiece in readable worship, music, art, and heritage in ties.
English.
It was ten stories high, designed in quite specifically religious, though general; would find in Aghapy TV a The channel is also worthy of such
the modern European style. The bal- hardly spiritual or mystical. Alaa al window to such a great heritage. a prophetic mission since it is under Subscriptions
Aswany is perhaps at his most pow- This columnist is always totally Surely this will lead to a greater mu- the supervision of His Grace Bishop
conies were decorated with Greek
mystified by the arrogant refusal of tual understanding, social harmony, & Advertising
faces. In the heart of the building erful in his extreme honesty con- Botros, General Bishop in the Coptic
any Press to provide books for re- healing from prejudices and miscon-
there was a superb modern elevator cerning religious and political cor- Church. He has chosen the Apostle Subscription rates for one year
ruption and deceit. view. The Yacoubian Building (255 ceptions, inspiration for national St. John the Beloved, who pro-
by Schindlers. A number of magnifi- (52 issues):
cent natural marble corridors were Taha Muhammad el Shazli is a pp., ISBN 977 424 862) was pub- unity, and progress of civil society. claimed “God is Love,” as his own North America US $ 80
lished by the American University
central to the design. Ministers, central figure in this novel. He is an patron saint. As such the naming of Europe, Africa US $ 70
in Cairo Press in 2004, and this re-
landowners, foreign manufacturers academically gifted young man who It is therefore the duty of the Copts Aghapy TV (the Love Channel) Australia, Far East US $ 90
and Jewish millionaires all occupied wished to become a police officer, viewer recovered a copy from toward themselves inside Egypt, gen- came as natural and purposeful from _____________________________
____________________________
Seattle, USA in February 2006.
the building until the 1950s Revo- but the government department re- erations of immigrant Copts world- various angles. Kindly, complete the form below,
lution. jected him. He would therefore ___ wide, and the needy world, to launch and send it along with your
The Revd. Dr. John H. Watson is a TV broadcast that presents the love
It has been noted that in more re- swap his former self for another new H.G. Bishop Botros is a pioneer payment in US$ or equivalant,
an Anglican priest who lives in of God. As such, the name Aghapy is
cent times Alaa Al Aswany used the character. His exterior appearance as in community service through the payable to
Dorset, UK, and has been writing very meaningful.
Yacoubian Building for his own a smartly dressed, fresh faced young establishment of many institutions Watani International
the fortnightly Coptophile Column Aghapy TV started its broadcast on
dental practice, and his father, who man would change into that of a including the Cheerful Heart Centre 14308 Summer Tree Road,
for Watani International since 14 November 2005, the anniversary
was also a greatly respected writer bearded character in traditional Is- for the Mentally Disabled, the New Suite G
2002. He is the author of several of the enthronement of His Holiness
and lawyer, had his own offices lamic dress. Testament Senior Citizens Village, Centreville, VA 20121
there. The Yacoubian Building in the Sheik Muhammad Shakir from books including Among the Copts Pope Shenouda III. It now reaches all the Orthodox Center for Religious Tel: 571-522-6560
(2000), Christians Observed: Nar- of Egypt, the Middle East, South Af-
novel becomes a metaphor for the the Anas ibn Malik mosque was a Studies, St. John American School, Fax: 571-522-6561
ratives for Today’s Church (2004), rica, Europe, and South America.
life of Egypt after the Revolution master of internal brainwashing, not and now the Coptic Orthodox Sat- Or pay by credit card
and Listening to Islam (2005). Aghapy TV aspires to reach North
and in modern times. It is a success- simply the man next to God but the ellite Channel. Name on the card:
ful piece of writing. man who replaces God. Taha el His Grace has chosen the name ____________________________
___________________________
Shazli had grown up in a secular Charity Isle Patmos for the complex Card #: _____ _____ _______
There are innumerable moments state, with a superior worldly edu- If you think you cannot make a difference, of these institutions near Cairo on Expiration Date: _____________
of religious and spiritual “naivete” cation, but now he must learn how the highway to Suez. Patmos was the Card Type: ˚ Master Card
throughout this novel. But Alaa al to love in God and to hate in God, a think again, because in fact island to which St. John the Apostle ˚ Visa ˚ American Express
Aswany is unashamed in his pow- tradition that can hardly be de- you can make a difference: was exiled for Christ’s sake. Address:
erful expression of human sexual- scribed as Islamic. In Patmos of Egypt, adverse events __________________________________
__________________________________
ity. Tragically, hatred is directed to- Give a gift subscription over the years echoed the words of __________________________________
__________________________________
Zaki Bey el Dessouki was a high- wards others inside and outside any in Watani to someone agony and joy uttered by John the Telephone:________________
class resident in the Yacoubian religion. Each faith system in every you care about. Beloved, “I, John, both your brother Fax:_______________________
Building. He lost his wealth and moment of history has borne the and companion in tribulation, and in
21.
5 March 2006 Watani International 3
Joining Freedom and Respect Trading Respect for Fear
islative branch. In our country neither the ple: principles and tolerance are washed away I personally have always been enraged by Catho-
Jean d’Ormesson press nor the legal system is subject to the by passions. It seems that God has his tricks Minette Marrin lic teachings, or by Maoist doctrines but I have no
government’s orders. The separation of pow- just as much as reason. desire to insult Catholics or Maoists personally,
The source of international crises has always ers is, like freedom of the press, a pillar of The situation being as it is, it is impossible Respect is not a right. Almost anything one can merely a temptation to argue with some of them. I
think of these days is, supposedly, a right, and judg- have been to parties where thumping crooks have
been highly diverse and often ridiculous: the our democracy. It is impossible to call it into for the leaders of a democracy to apologize ing from the angry demands on all sides for re- been treated with great civility by other guests,
abduction of a woman, a snub, a slap with a question. to anyone for something that does not depend spect, one might easily be bamboozled into think- for a similar reason. But it would be wrong to
fan, a telegram have been enough, in the past, Consequently, the government cannot and on them. What is possible for them is to re- ing respect is somehow a right as well. Not so, mistake that sort of civility for respect.
to light the powder. Our age, which quite must not intervene in the free exercise of the gret excesses. Excesses undoubtedly less sig- rightly not. Respect cannot be demanded, or imposed by a
wrongly believed it had seen the triumph of press. The legal system, on the other hand, nificant, at least in our eyes, than the sacking Yet all the terrifying Muslim uprisings across free state. It can only be freely given. The demand
reason, is amazed to see cartoons bordering can always be resorted to by anyone who feels and burning of embassies. Whatever the bad the world in response to the Danish cartoons have of Muslims for uncritical — and legally binding
on worthlessness bring crowds into the street that legitimate rights taste of satirical draw- all been about a demand for respect, as of right. — respect for their beliefs is simply not one that
drunk with rage, impatient to burn flags and have been threatened or ings, in international They are demanding respect for religion, or at any can be met in a society like ours. And the failure,
attack embassies. simply ignored. law a retaliation of this rate for their own religion and their own religious by some Muslims at least, to perceive these dis-
Traditional diplomacy is visibly caught sensibilities. The same is true of the more moder- tinctions is, without exaggeration, tragic.
The Catholic Church order is an act of ex-
ate demonstrations in London yesterday. Worse, It is a failure for which we in the West — we in
unawares. What should be done when the has often faced mock- ceptional gravity, and many westerners are penitentially admitting that this country — bear a great deal of responsibility.
children of (the artists) Daumier, Forain and ery or attacks of a type one that calls for the re- Muslims do indeed have a right to respect for their Until very recently, the doctrine of
Faizant put the world to fire and sword? What that could harm its fol- sponsibility of govern- faith, and that it is wrong to express disrespect for multiculturalism reigned supreme here. For at least
should be done when laughter unleashes ha- lowers. Most of the time ments that are incapa- a religion. This is disastrous. 15 years public services and the liberal media have
tred and death? it has wisely declined to ble, willingly or un- Recent demonstrations were organised by the been riddled with the idea that all cultures are
First of all, we must assert our beliefs with- undertake any action in willingly, to enforce new Muslim Action Committee, which claims to equally deserving of respect, and that the values
out mannerism and without weakness. Free- reply. It is legitimate, public order. represent more than 1m Muslims. They may in- of the host culture are not supreme, but on the
dom of the press is at the heart of our entire for other religions, to But we are starting to deed be moderates, as they claim, yet what they contrary, rather racist and oppressive (so possibly
history. No one doubts it is littered with heaps demonstrate less indul- realize that we live in say sounds anything but moderate. They demand not equally deserving of respect). At last this has
of trash and mistakes. That does not matter. gence. a world where interna- changes in the law and a strengthening of the Press come to be understood. There are countless ex-
Complaints Commission code to outlaw any pos- amples: the finding of the Climbie report that so-
That is better than its opposite. It is one of In this whirlwind of tional law retreats be- sible publication of the cartoons of the prophet cial workers were inclined to apply different stand-
the pillars of democracy. There can be no fury and mutual indig- fore irrational explo- Muhammad in the UK. “What is being called for,” ards to different cultures, and therefore overlooked
question of our denying or yielding the slight- nation, how can we fail sions. In this world as said Faiz Siddiqi, the committee’s convenor, “is a or explained away what was happening to the
est bit on this sacrosanct principle. We are to once again remember it is - and one day or change of culture. In any civilised society, if some- wretched Victoria; a similar lack of will to ques-
the children of Montesquieu, who in his the inevitable phrase of Malraux about the role another universal rules will finally have to one says, ‘don’t insult me’, you do not, out of re- tion religious practices such as exorcism.
‘Lettres persanes’ mocked the state religion, of religion? In our old country, tolerant and be restored once and for all - the government spect for them.” Others include the decision of the chief inspec-
and of Voltaire, who fought for the right of withdrawn unto itself, his words have long has no other resource than to appeal to each Here in one sentence lies the entire, tangled prob- tor of prisons not to allow the English flag in Eng-
expression not only of his supporters, but also seemed seductive and obscure. Now they are person’s responsibility. lem; it is all entwined round several different uses lish prisons, in case the red cross might be offen-
of his enemies. We are passionately attached forcefully assuming a rather new meaning. In a democracy, freedom of the press is to- of the word “respect”. First of all there is a ten- sive to Muslims; the blind eye that is turned to
to freedom of the press, and we will defend Republican and secular France is no longer tal. To interfere with it is out of the question. dentious conflation of respect for one’s religion physical punishment of young children and long
and respect for oneself. It may be true that in tra- hours in some madrasahs; the shameful tolerance
it against all odds. Like all freedoms, that of confronted by the traditional religion against But in a democracy, even cartoonists must ditional Muslim thought a perceived insult to the here of domestic violence and arranged marriages
the press is of course subject to conditions. which it fought so long before living with it understand that they are responsible for the Prophet is an insult to the believer, but in western of convenience to highly unsuitable strangers, in
Everyone agrees: the freedom of each per- like an old sensible and worn-out couple. It freedom granted them. For each person, re- culture there is a crucially important — and highly the name of religion; the public library in Buck-
son is limited by that of others. Violation of finds itself facing a religion resolute in a dif- maining free assumes respect for others’ free- prized — distinction. Freedom of speech depends inghamshire that banned a notice of a Christian
privacy is currently punished by the legal sys- ferent way, ambitious and sure of itself, one dom. Respecting others also consists of re- on people accepting that criticism of a belief, even carol service and yet held a party to celebrate Eid
tem. In the area of the press, judges can in- that occupied almost no place in our familiar specting their beliefs. At least as much as their aggressive, satirical or offensive criticism, is not at the end of Ramadan. These things are done,
tervene on a large number of other occasions. world 50 years ago and that now includes physical misfortunes, their privacy, their necessarily intended to insult a person or an eth- apparently, out of a desire to show equal respect
But it is always a matter for the legal system, some 6 million people in France. loved ones, their children. For many people, nic community. to all faiths.
not the government. The world is changing. The economy is not their beliefs are as sacred as freedom is to us. Even in cases where perhaps it might be — Quite why large sections of the host culture here
France, a secular country, recognizes free- the only thing prey to change: so is religion. If you sow the seeds of hatred and contempt, where the criticism of a belief is quite clearly dis- were taken in by the confused claims of
respectful — then putting up with that is the price multiculturalism remains a mystery to me. But the
dom of conscience and the freedom of each And attitudes about religion. Anti-racist even to make people laugh, how can you be of freedom of speech, and a price well worth pay- consequence is that many Muslims (among oth-
person to practice his religion. There are movements, often pronounced on the left, surprised at receiving blows in return? For ing. ers) have come to believe that we agree that their
countries where the government, religion, the make themselves the advocates of a militant our own dignity and that of others, our motto Freedom of speech is the keystone of western religion and culture are entitled to unquestioning
press, the legal system are merged. They are religion that considers itself insulted by the should be: freedom and respect. civilisation, of individuality, of scientific discov- respect. They must have seen that the post-Chris-
called dictatorships. That is not the case in cartoonists. They are immediately denounced ___________________________________________________ ery, of wealth and of democracy; without it, the tian majority, especially in the state sector, has been
France, which is a democracy where religion by other organizations, also anti-racist but of Member of ‘l’Académie Française,’ Le Fi- entire edifice would collapse. mired in an unthinking relativism, and has lost the
is separate from the state the way the legal a different anti-racism. We become dizzy. garo (translates from French) Indeed it is arguable that it has been the lack of conviction to stand up for essential western val-
system is separate from the executive or leg- What is happening? The answer is rather sim- freedom of speech, along with an excessive re- ues.
spect for authority and religion, that has for cen- What’s more these state organisations have hum-
turies held back and impoverished the once great bly accepted the charge that they are institution-
Democracy in a Cartoon civilisation of Islam. Faiz Siddiqi’s call for a
change of culture is indeed nothing less, and a very
ally racist, which has further demoralised them.
This is a very extreme form of trahison des clercs
destructive and retrograde one at that. — the betrayal of the functionaries. It is hardly
apologize, for example, for the British Em- West needs no lectures on the superior virtue Of course, Siddiqi is right in saying that in any
Ibn Warraq pire, when, in fact, the British presence in of societies who keep their women in sub-
surprising, now, that the more extreme and politi-
civilised society, most people do generally avoid cised Muslims and their unthinking hangers on feel
India led to the Indian Renaissance, resulted jection, cut off their clitorises, stone them to insulting other people’s beliefs, but that is not nec- entitled, in defiance of our greatest freedoms, to
The great British philosopher John Stuart Mill in famine relief, railways, roads and irriga- death for alleged adultery, throw acid on their essarily out of respect for them, or for their be- demand respect from us, as of right. The tragedy
wrote in On Liberty, “Strange it is, that men tion schemes, eradication of cholera, the civil faces, or deny the human rights of those con- liefs. It is very often out of an overriding respect is that what they are now getting from the rest of
should admit the validity of the arguments service, the establishment of a universal edu- sidered to belong to lower castes. for something impersonal — for the benefits of us is not respect at all, but fear, posing as respect.
for free discussion, but object to their being cational system where none existed before, How can we expect immigrants to integrate civility in a civil society and above all for the ideal _____________________
‘pushed to an extreme’; not seeing that un- the institution of elected parliamentary de- into Western society when they are at the of tolerance. The Sunday Times, London
less the reasons are good for an extreme case, mocracy and the rule of law? What of the same time being taught that the West is deca-
they are not good for any case.” British architecture of Bombay and Calcutta? dent, a den of iniquity, the source of all evil,
The cartoons in the Danish newspaper The British even gave back to the Indians racist, imperialist and to be despised? Why
Jyllands-Posten their own past: it should they, in the words of the African-
raise the most impor- was European American writer James Baldwin, want to in-
tant question of our scholarship, ar- tegrate into a sinking ship? Why do they all
times: freedom of chaeology and re- want to immigrate to the West and not Saudi
expression. Are we search that uncov- Arabia? They should be taught about the cen-
in the West going to ered the greatness turies of struggle that resulted in the freedoms
cave into pressure that was India; it that they and everyone else for that matter,
from societies with a was British gov- cherish, enjoy, and avail themselves of; of the
medieval mindset, or ernment that did individuals and groups who fought for these
are we going to de- its best to save freedoms and who are despised and forgot-
fend our most pre- and conserve the ten today; the freedoms that the much of the
cious freedom - free- monuments that rest of world envies, admires and tries to
dom of expression, a were a witness to emulate. When the Chinese students cried and
freedom for which that past glory. died for democracy in Tiananmen Square (in
thousands of people sacrificed their lives? British Imperialism preserved where earlier 1989), they brought with them not represen-
A democracy cannot survive long without Islamic Imperialism destroyed thousands of tations of Confucius or Buddha but a model
freedom of expression, the freedom to argue, Hindu temples. of the Statue of Liberty.
to dissent, even to insult and offend. It is a On the world stage, should we really apolo- Freedom of expression is our Western her-
freedom sorely lacking in the Islamic world, gize for Dante, Shakespeare, and Goethe? itage and we must defend it or it will die from
and without it Islam will remain unassailed Mozart, Beethoven and Bach? Rembrandt, totalitarian attacks. It is also much needed in
in its dogmatic, fanatical, medieval fortress; Vermeer, Van Gogh, Breughel, Ter Borch? the Islamic world. By defending our values,
ossified, totalitarian and intolerant. Without Galileo, Huygens, Copernicus, Newton and we are teaching the Islamic world a valuable
this fundamental freedom, Islam will con- Darwin? Penicillin and computers? The Ol- lesson, we are helping them by submitting
tinue to stifle thought, human rights, individu- ympic Games and Football? Human rights their cherished traditions to Enlightenment
ality; originality and truth. and parliamentary democracy? The West is values.
Unless, we show some solidarity, una- the source of the liberating ideas of individual _________________________________
________________________________
shamed, noisy, public solidarity with the liberty, political democracy, the rule of law, Born in India, Ibn Warraq was educated in
Danish cartoonists, then the forces that are human rights and cultural freedom. It is the Koran schools in Pakistan and later in Eng-
trying to impose on the Free West a totalitar- West that has raised the status of women, land. A best-selling author, he currently lives
ian ideology will have won; the Islamization fought against slavery, defended freedom of in the United States and writes under a pseu-
of Europe will have begun in earnest. enquiry, expression and conscience. No, the donym. Der Speigel, Germany
This raises another more general problem:
the inability of the West to defend itself in-
tellectually and culturally. Be proud, do not
apologize. Do we have to go on apologizing Nuggets
for the sins our fathers? Do we still have to
Laila Farid ♦ Alcohol Free and Green
The only brewery in the Palestinian territories be- Health Bird Flu: Q&A
♦ Iranian Fatwa Approves Use of gan developing a non-alcoholic beer and gave the
Nuclear Weapons bottle a green label, the colour of Hamas. Q: What is bird flu? Q: But it can’t yet be passed from person to
Iran’s hardline spiritual leaders have issued an un- Alcohol retailers cite the Gaza experience. Since There are 15 types of bird flu. The type currently person?
precedented new fatwa, or holy order, sanctioning the intifada began and Hamas grew in power, every causing concern is the deadly strain H5N1, which There may have been examples of human-to-
the use of atomic weapons against its enemies. outlet has shut. A Gaza wholesaler was burnt from can prove fatal to humans. human transmission, but so far not in the form
In yet another sign of Teheran’s stiffening resolve his home when he resisted entreaties to close his Migratory wildfowl are natural carriers of the which could fuel a pandemic.
on the nuclear issue, influential Muslim clerics have doors. The United Nations’ Beach Club, the last viruses, but are unlikely to actually develop an in-
for the first time questioned the theocracy’s tradi- bar in Gaza, was bombed on New Year’s Day. fection. The risk is that they pass it on to domestic Q: Is there a vaccine or a treatment?
tional stance that Sharia law forbade the use of birds, who are much more susceptible to the vi- There is not yet a definitive vaccine, but proto-
nuclear weapons. ♦ Glass of White for King Tut rus. types which offer protection against the H5N1
strain are being produced.
Until now only red wine was believed to have been Antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu may help limit
♦ 40pc of Muslims Want Sharia Law Q: How do humans catch bird flu?
drunk by the an- symptoms and reduce the chances the disease will
in UK Humans catch the disease through close contact
cient Egyptians. spread. Scientists say it may be helpful to have
A poll, conducted for the Sunday Telegraph, with live infected birds. Birds excrete the virus in
However, ar- stocks of other drugs from the same family such
showed that four out of 10 British Muslims want their faeces, which dry and become pulverised,
chaeologists exam- as Relenza (zanamivir) as resistance to Tamiflu
sharia law introduced into the country. and are then inhaled.
ining jars from the may develop.
The opinion poll also indicates that a fifth have Symptoms are similar to other types of flu - fe-
tomb of
sympathy with the “feelings and motives” of the ver, malaise, sore throats and coughs. People can
Tu t a n k h a m u n , Q: Can I continue to eat chicken & eggs?
suicide bombers who attacked London last July 7, also develop conjunctivitis.
found that he was Yes. Avian flu is not a food-borne virus, so eat-
killing 52 people, although 99 per cent thought the Experts believe the virus could exchange genes
despatched to the ing chicken is safe. However, to be absolutely
bombers were wrong to carry out the atrocity. with a human flu virus if a person was simultane-
afterlife with a safe all meat should be cooked to a temperature
Overall, the findings depict a Muslim commu- ously infected with both. The more this double
healthy supply of of at least 70C. Eggs should also be thoroughly
nity becoming more radical and feeling more al- infection happens, the higher the chance a new
white wine. cooked.
ienated from mainstream society, even though 91 virus could be created and be passed from person
___________________
___________________ ________________
per cent still say they feel loyal to Britain. to person.
Sources: The Daily Telegraph and The Times Source: BBC News
22.
2 Watani International 5 March 2006
4 Watani International 5 March 2006
Pope Shenouda III
In an attempt to trace how modern-day Egyptians finally embodied cycles of ‘death’ and ‘rebirth’, formed the ba-
Tracing came to be what they are today, and to refute the con-
troversy that occasionally arises over their origins and
the origin of their traditions, Watani is printing a monthly
sis of their spiritual and intellectual life. Thus the ancient
Egyptian religion emerged, based in principle upon the
concept of an afterlife and the conflict between good
Introduction
series on the history of the Egyptian people—as op- to the four Gospels
the
and evil. Despite the seemingly polytheistic nature of
posed to the widely known ‘official’ history of the rulers the Egyptian religion, it was in fact a religion of one god,
of Egypt. The first episode of the series demonstrated and had much in common with the Christian faith which
people’s
that ancient Egyptians were a mixture of both Hamite
and Shemite races. Once the first ‘Egyptians’ settled
down to an agricultural life on the banks of the Nile, it
followed. Egypt figured several times in the Bible and its
history often crossed paths with that of the Hebrews.
When St Mark preached Christianity to the Egyptians
The Gospel
history
was natural that they should look around them and try
to understand their universe. The life-giving sun and the
River Nile, both of which dominated their environment
they were ready—heart and soul—to accept and em-
brace it, and to die for it. Their culture continued un-
interrupted along the same line as their an-
of Luke
and their very existence, and both of which in essence cestors—albeit coloured with Christian overtones. (1-3)
Translated by: Dr Wedad Abbas
Prosperity during the Greco-Roman period It is the Gospel written by St. Luke the
physician, who also wrote the Acts of the
And concerning the Lord it is said, "And
the Child grew and became strong in spirit,
of trampled or half-eaten crops. Apostles. His name is mentioned in the filled with wisdom; and the grace of God
Erian Labib Hanna Draught animals too were essential; the Epistles of St. Paul the apostle (Phl23: 24; was upon Him;" "and Jesus increased in
valuable oxen for driving the waterwheel Col3: 12). He was with St. Paul in Rome wisdom; and stature, and in favor with God
and ploughing, certainly too expensive and in his voyages, for he described them and men." (Lk2: 40, 52)
as an eye witness (Acts16: 18-12; 20: 5, 13, 10. Only in the Gospel of Luke is men-
Under the Greek and Roman domination for a poor peasant to own outright. Then 15; 28: 16). He stayed with St. Paul until tioned the speech of the Lord with elders
of Egypt the natural resources of the land there were the numerous donkeys and, his martyrdom (2Tim4: 6, 9, 11). when he was 12 years old (2: 41-51).
were more efficiently and systematically more rarely, camels, which would serve St. Luke was a Gentile, not of the circum- It is also stated—in the same chap-
exploited than ever before and, as a their owners in terms of beasts of burden cision. He was a Greek, and he studied in ter—that the holy family used to go up to
consequence, pollution probably reached a on a large and scattered estate. the University of Tarsus. He probably re- Jerusalem at the Feast of the Passover, and
level that was not matched again until the A wide range of services was available ceived faith at the hands of St. Paul the that He sat in the midst of the teachers who
late 19th century. Egypt’s economic apostle. Some, however think he was one were astonished at His understanding and
in towns and villages. There were teach- of the two disciples of Emmaus or of the answers.
structure, then, cannot be described simply ers, lawyers, scribes, shorthand-writers, seventy apostles. He was martyred when 11. The genealogy stated in the Gospel
in terms of a peasant society based upon donkey-drivers, carpenters, builders, was 84 years old. of Luke differs from that in the Gospel of
subsistence farming and barter exchange. smiths and plumbers, wet-nurses, pros- Supposedly, he wrote his Gospel in 63- Matthew.
Agriculture, commerce, trade and man- titutes, hairdressers, cooks, mouse- 67 A.D. but most probably before 62, and One mentioned the genealogy according
ufacture all played important and inter- catchers, and entertainers—all were sent it to a nobleman called Theophilus. to the birth, and the other according to the
related roles in a complex, highly monetar- found. There was the bakery, brewery, His Gospel resembles and complements the legal relation as recorded in (Deut25: 5, 6)
Acts. He wrote the Gospel to the Gentiles, 12. Only in the Gospel of Luke is men-
ised economy. But it was agriculture that Nicolas Poussin. Rest on the Flight to Egypt. 1655-1657. Oil on canvas. wool factory, copying houses, pottery focusing on them rather than on the Jews. tioned the name of Gabriel the angel who
largely determined the character and opera- The Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia. manufacture, weaving and brickmaking. (Lk2: 30-32; 14; 3: 6; 24: 47) announced the Lord’s birth to the Virgin,
tion of the economy. He recorded the genealogy of the Lord and also John’s birth to Zacharias (Lk1:
Land ownership Christ up to Adam (Lk3: 38), not to Abra- 26, 19)
Agriculture-based economy barley, dates, figs, filberts, walnuts, pine kernels, ham as Matthew did. He revealed that the The Holy Spirit:
The Ptolemies at first favoured royal ownership of Gentiles were also favored in the Old Tes- Only in the Gospel of John are men-
The simplest of market facilities existed in the pistachios, olives, peaches, quinces, lentils, radish land, which was rental; the production and marketing
and lotus. Agriculture, however, was not confined to tament (Lk4: 25-28). Moreover, he showed tioned people filled with the Holy Spirit.
villages, more complex versions in the nome capitals, of major products such as oil and papyrus was the Lord’s concern about the Samaritans a) About John the Baptist the angel said,
and the most sophisticated in Alexandria, which farmers—even an artisan might own a small plot of stringently controlled in the private sector. Under the who the Jews hated (Lk10: 5, 6; 30-37; 9: "He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit,
played a very important role in international trade and garden-land where he could grow vegetables and Romans, state land ownership was considerably red- 51-56; 17: 11-18). even from his mother’s womb." (Lk1: 15).
commerce. The existence of mechanisms for the cultivate a handful of vines. uced, government supervision of private enterprise That he wrote to the Greek is apparent b) About the holy Elizabeth it is stated,
exchange of goods at the village level shows quite was relaxed and the amount of tax collected in cash from the following: "when Elizabeth heard the greeting of
Farm animals • Defining the places and countries of the Mary…the babe leaped in her womb; and
clearly that there were specialised economic functions greatly increased. Three interrelated aspects warrant Jews (Lk4: 8, 23, 24). Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit."
in the rural populations, and that subsistence agri- Bee-keeping provided honey, the denizens of the emphasis: first, the overall level of taxation appears • Explaining the meaning of the Feast of (Lk1: 41)
culture was not a simple matter of peasant families ubiquitous village dovecotes yielded both fertiliser to have been fairly low; second, the system of ad- the Unleavened Bread and the Passover c) About Zacharias the priest when his
growing or producing everything they needed. Such and food. Chickens and pigs were reared for food in ministration and collection which devolved largely (Lk22: 1). mouth opened on John’s birth, it is said,
families produced no overall profit in a year, yet the courtyards of town and village houses; wool, upon the local community was cheap; and third, • References to the law and prophets are "Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit,
engaged in market exchange, trading off a surplus of milk and cheeses were obtained from the flocks of there were great opportunities for private enrichment. few. and prophesied…" (Lk1: 67) Here we see
one commodity to make good a deficiency in another. sheep and herds of goats which ranged the pasture- • No Aramaic nor Hebrew terms are that the whole family were filled with the
There was another face to the coin though. Side to used. Holy Spirit.
Archaeological evidence from the Roman-period lands, not infrequently giving rise to complaints side with prosperity, poverty abounded, and this will The Gospel of Luke is distinguished for d) Angel Gabriel said to the Lady Virgin,
village of Raranis shows the presence of wheat and against careless shepherds from the indignant owners be the topic of the next article. the speeches on repentance (Lk1: 16, 17, 77; "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and
24: 47; 13: 3-5). His Gospel is distinguished the power of the Highest will overshadow
for the parables on the return of the sinners, you." (Lk1: 35)
Samha al-Kholi
(1925 - 2006) The sound of music God’s longsuffering and forgiveness for the
most sinful who repent (Lk7: 36-50; 13: 6-9;
15).
For instance the stories of the sinful
woman and of Zacchaeus are only men-
tioned here (Lk7, 19). Other stories of re-
pentance given in the Gospel of luke only
are: The repentance of the thief crucified
e) About Simon the elders it is clear that
He had the Holy Spirit who led Him to the
temple (Lk2: 25-27)
f) About the Lord Christ in the story of
the temptation on the mount, it is said,
"Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy
Spirit, returned…and was led by the Spirit
into the wilderness, being tempted for forty
with the Lord; the story of the Pharisee and days…" (4: 1)
Nader Shukry Last month, the ter the infamous fire which completely the tax-collector; the great supper the un- On the Resurrection
Egyptian music Above: destroyed the Cairo Opera House in just steward, the wise steward and the little Some information about resurrection are
scene lost Samha Samha al- 1971 put a stop to the activities of the flock; the foolish rich man; the rich man exclusively stated in the Gospel of Luke:
Kholi with and Lazarus (Lk5, 18, 19, 23, 14, 16, 12). 1.The woman’s visit to the tomb, the ap-
al-Kholi (1925 -2006), whose generous Cairo Symphony Orchestra. St. Luke also revealed God’s compassion pearance of the two angels to them, the talk
contribution along the years included her husband
on the sinners, as in God’s attitude towards of the angles with them, and their return to
musical compositions, authoring and Gamal Opera and books the Samaritans, and in His concern about the apostles (Lk24: 1-11).
translating books on music, as well as Abdel-
Between 1972 and 1979, Dr Kholi Jerusalem and His weeping over it (Lk9, 2. The details of the Lord’s appearance to
encouraging and guiding many young Rehim;
presided over the Cairo Opera Group. 13, 19). the two disciples of Emmaus, His talk with
Bekow:
She supervised the presentation of sev- However St. luke did not neglect the pun- them, His breaking bread with them, and His
gifted musicians. In appreciation of her ishment of sin (Lk10, 13, 19, 11, 14, 20). expounding to them in all the Scriptures the
remarkable role, the Cairo Opera House Dr Kholi
eral operas, among which was the first He condemned offences (Lk17: 1, 2), and things concerning Himself. This report is
will this month commemorate Dr Kho- with her son
and only performance of Hassan Rash- asserted that repentance should have fruit given in the Gospel of Luke in 23 verses,
li, and the Cairo Symphony Orchestra Mohamed
id’s Death of Antonio, and classic op- (Lk3: 8, 9). whereas in Mark in 2 Verses only (Mk16:
will dedicate a concert to her memory. Zayan,
eras such as Madame Butterfly, Tosca, Many things are exclusively mentioned 12, 13).
daughter
and La Traviata. In the late 1960s she in the Gospel of luke, such as those related 3. The appearance of the Lord to the elev-
The daughter of Amin al-Kholi, one to the Annunciation and Nativity, the res- en disciples, who thought He was a spirit,
of the pioneers of the enlightenment Basma and
established the ensemble of Arabic
grandson urrection, prayer and praises, certain prov- and His words, "Behold My hands and My
movement in the 20th century, Samha music. Since 1975 and for more than erbs and resurrection, repentance, the work feet…Handle me and see, for a spirit does
married the late composer Gamal 25 years, Dr Kholi prepared and of the Holy Spirit, women and chil- not have flesh and bones as you see I have
Abdel-Rahim. They had a daughter, presented her TV weekly programme, dren…..etc. (24: 36-41). This is stated in short by St.
Sound of Music, which helped introduce countless Egyptians to the rich world The Annunciation & Nativity: Mark in one verse (Mk16: 14).
Basma, who is a violinist and is married to cellist Kamel Salah-Eddin. Nothing is mentioned in the Gospels of 4. Only in the Gospel of Luke it is men-
of classic music. Dr Kholi wrote several books, among them Upbringing and Mark and John about the annunciation, tioned that the Lord ate with the disciples
Cairo Conservatoire Music, Music and Civilisation, and Attitudes of Young Arabs towards Music. whereas Matthew mentioned only the an- after the resurrection (24: 42, 43). The Gos-
She translated many others. gel’s announcement to Joseph the car- pel of John states that He offered them
Upon earning a diploma from the Higher Institute for Music in 1951, she penters. Luke alone mentioned: food, but did not mention that He ate with
went to Edinburgh on a government-funded scholarship where in 1954 she Light and hope 1. The angel’s announcement to Zach- them (Jn21: 10-13)
gained a PhD in history of music from the University of Edinburgh. She also In 1960 Dr Kholi founded the music institute of al-Nour wal-Amal (Light and arias the priest of the birth of his own 5. The speech of Christ with His disciples
received a piano diploma from the Royal Academy for Music in London. Hope) for blind girls, and established an orchestra for them. She established a son John. after His resurrection is recorded only in the
Since its establishment in 1959, Dr Kholi taught at the Cairo Conservatoire society for young Egyptian musicians in 1985, aiming at supporting them at the It contained a prophecy on John’s mis- Gospel of Luke at its end (24: 44-48)
and was appointed its dean from 1972 to 1981—widely considered one of the sion, and the silence of his father till his 6. Only in this Gospel and in the be-
beginning of their career. She represented Egypt in many international confer- birth (Lk9: 5-22, 64). ginning of the Acts is mentioned the Lord’s
most flourishing periods in the Conservatoire’s history. In 1975, she founded a ences and competitions, and was decorated several times by Hungary and +2. The angel’s announcement to Virgin command to His disciples after the resurrec-
children’s choir and another for young people at the Conservatoire. In 1975 she France. She was awarded the Culture Ministry prize for music criticism in 1961, Mary of the Lord Christ’s birth (Lk1: 21- tion, "tarry in the city of Jerusalem unitl
established the first fully Egyptian orchestra, the Conservatoire orchestra. and the Gamal Abdel-Nasser award in 1975. In 2003 she received the Mubarak 38).+ you are endued with power from on high."
This orchestra played an important part in Egyptian musical life, especially af- prize for arts, the highest Egyptian award in the field. It contained a prophecy on the Lord, a re- (24: 49; Acts1: 8)
port on the conception of Elizabeth, and the The Parables:
Virgin’s submission to the Lord’s will. Only in the Gospel of Luke are mentioned
Christians chose the wrong timing to pray at the 3. The visit of the holy Virgin to holy the following proverbs:
Elizabeth (Lk1: 39-45); and the words of The two debtors (7: 41-43); the friend
Watani Mail church. May I ask when is the right time to pray?
Shukrallah Habib, Assiut
Elizabeth, "Why is this granted to me, that
the mother of my Lord should come to me;"
the leaping of the babe in her womb, and the
who comes at midnight (11: 5-8); the fool-
ish rich man (12: 16-21); the unfruitful fig
tree (13: 6-9); the good Samaritan (14: 25-
Compiled by Victor Salama Second grade stay of the Virgin with her for three months 37); the lost son and the lost coin (15: 8-
A look at the Udeisat sectarian event shows clear- (Lk1: 56). 32); the unjust steward (16: 1-13); the rich
ly that Copts are regarded as second grade citizens 4. The praise songs of: man and Lazarus (16: 19-31), the Pharisee
A question of freedom in their own homeland. They do not even possess
a) the Virgin, on meeting Elizabeth (1: and the tax-collector (18: 10-14)
I sympathise with Muslims who were hurt by the 46-55); These Parables teach about repentance,
the simple right of conducting prayers. Worse still is b) Zacharias, after the birth of his son (1: prayer, wealth, or humbleness.
Danish caricatures that ridiculed the prophet the deep hatred towards Christians expressed by the 67-79); Miracles:
Mohamed. Ridiculing religious symbols is un- police officer and the fanatic rioters. Whatever hap- c) the angels, and their proclamation to Some miracles are mentioned solely in
acceptable. The real problem however, is that we pened to the concept of ‘partners in the homeland’? the shepherds (2: 25-35); the Gospel of Luke:
do not understand the freedom of expression in the d) Simon the elder, on seeing the child • Raising the son of the widow in Nain
Nermine Samy, Assiut Jesus (2: 25-35) (Lk 7:11-17)
West. A TV commentator said that "the West is
5. Anna the prophetess, the daughter • Healing the woman with infirmity (Lk
free, even to ridicule Christianity, but we do not used to hearing insults regularly directed at them Unequal rights of Phanuel, is mentioned only in the Gos- 13:11)
want it to impose what they do on us". He appeared and their religion from mosque microphones. If a Epiphany day is a major Coptic feast. However, pel of Luke (2: 36-38) • Healing the man with the unclean spirit
to disregard the fact that Christianity is insulted few anti-Muslim cartoons caused all this furor, for centuries it was also celebrated as an Egyptian St. Luke mentioned that she was of the (Lk 21:33)
almost round the clock in Egypt. Last January, the what are Copts to do when they drink their cup of feast, with Muslims joining Copts in the prayer tribe of Asher, a widow of about 84 years • Healing the ten lepers (Lk 17:11-19)
Cairo International Book Fair sold a host of books daily insults? who did not depart from the temple, and Prayer:
services they held on this occasion on the Nile she spoke praises on the birth of the Lord. The Gospel of Luke is foremost in speak-
which derided Christianity and Christians. Not one Rifaat Ghattas, Minya banks to bless its waters. In 2006 however, 6. Only in the Gospel of Luke circum- ing about prayer:
Muslim seemed to care. Epiphany day turned tragic with the bloody events cision and other events are mentioned Only in this Gospel is stated the Lord’s
Robeir al-Faris, Sohag Wrong timing of Udeisat. But this is not the first and will not be (Lk2: 21-24). speech about praying always (Lk 18:1), per-
In the popular TV talk show Hadeeth al-Madina the last such event as long as Christians and It contained a report on the Virgin’s go- sistence in prayer, and the parable of the un-
A bitter cup (City Talk), the host asked the Interior Minister for Muslims do not have equal citizenship rights in ing to the temple when the days of her pur- just judge (Lk 18:2-8) and that of the friend
ification were completed, the sacrifice of- that comes at midnight (1:5-8)
Egyptian Muslims who felt so insulted by the an explanation of the bloody sectarian riots which Egypt, especially where building places of worship fered to the Lord, and the circumcision of The Gospel of Luke mentioned certain
Danish cartoons are oblivious to the fact that Egypt erupted last month at the village of Udeisat in is concerned. the Lord on the eighth day and giving Him prayers of Christ not mentioned in any other
has surpassed Denmark. Egyptian Christians are Luxor. The minister said that the reason was that Nabil Kamel, Cairo the name Jesus. Gospel:
7. Luke alone mentioned the birth of • Christ prayer before His baptism (3:21)
the Lord in a manger, and also about the • His prayer before starting His mission
Watani International.... Watani International.... Watani International.... Watani International....Watani International visit of the shepherds and their words about
the angel’s announcement to them (2: 7,
16-18)
(5:16)
• His prayer before choosing the apostles (6:12)
• His prayer before Peter’s testimony for
8. Only in the Gospel of Luke the cen- His divinity (9:18)
sus is mentioned. • His prayer on the return of His disciples
Editor-in-chief Youssef Sidhom Editorial team International staff Senior editors There was a decree from Caesar Augusts from their mission (10:21)
Ghada Tantawi Executive editor Magdi Khalil (NY) Saad Michael Saad, (Los Angeles) that all the world should be registered, • His prayer for the steadfastness of Peter
therefore Joseph went up from Galilee out in faith (22:32)
Cairo staff Ghali Kozman
Tel (1) 571 5226560, Fax (1) 571 5226561
E-mail: magdikh@ hotmail.com Adel Guindy (France) of the city of Nazareth into Bethlehem to • His prayer before His crucifiers (23:34)
Dalia Victor magdikkamel@ aol.com be registered with Mary, and there the days • His prayer beforegiving up the spirit
Managing editor Samia Sidhom Fax (33) 147012600
were completed for her to be delivered (23:46)
Editing advisor William El-Miry (NY) E-mail: guindya@aol.com
Donia Wagdy (Lk2: 1-6). Other things only mentioned in the Gos-
Copy editor Jenny Jobbins Marina Ihab Contributing editor Mahfouz Doss (LA) Laila Shafik Farid (U.K) 9. In the Gospel of Luke only is men- pel of Luke:
Tel (1) 310 8263388, Fax (1) 310 8208480 Fax (44) 1704574356, tioned the growth of Jesus and John the His sending the seventy (10:1-2)
Layout editor Heba Adel Nivert Rizkallah E-mail: madoss@ worldnet.att.net E-mail: lailafarid@btopenworld.com Baptist. His praising Mary more than Martha
Concerning John it is said, "So the child (10:38-42)
grew and became strong on spirit, and was Pilate’s slaughtering of Galileans (13:2)
in the deserts till the day of His manifesta- The brother who asked to divide the in-
Virginia office: 14308 Summer Tree Road, Suite G, Centreville, VA 20121; Los Angeles office: P.O.Box 2442, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 tion to Israel." (Lk1: 80) heritance with his brother (12:13-15)
5 March 2006
Watani International 3