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Cartouche Dimanche
Equipe de rédaction:
Abdel Massih Felli
Dalia Victor
14 Janvier 2007
Michael Victor
Névine Lameï 6 Touba 1723
Caroline Onsy, Nermine Onsy Rédacteur en chef Directrice de rédaction 25 Dhu-al-Hijja 1427
Mise en page: Youssef Sidhom Laura Hakim 1ère ANNEE
Héba Adel NUMERO 37
Révision:
Rafik Baracat
La relance du processus de paix avec les Israéliens Egypte:
Abdel Massih Felli
moment où les deux
mouvements pa-
lestiniens sont en-
que Abbas a déc-
laré la semaine der-
pour la formation d'un gouvernement d'union. Le rejet des
nière "hors-la-loi" la Appel au dialogue
Les dirigeants Hosni Moubarak et jordanien le roi
Abdallah II se sont entretenus au Caire des moyens
de mettre un terme aux violences inter-
palestiniennes, en vue de favoriser une relance du
gagés dans une
épreuve de force.
C'est dans ce climat
de défiance que la
Force exécutive, un
groupe par-
amilitaire relevant
du gouvernement
"L'existence de l'Etat d'Israël est un fait établi",
selon les propos qu'aurait tenus le leader du Ha-
mas en exil, Khaled Meshaal. En assurant
qu'Israël est une réalité, et si ses propos se confir-
treize partis
processus de paix avec les Israéliens. secrétaire d'Etat Hamas. ment, Khaled Meshaal assouplit considérablement
S'exprimant à l'issue d'un sommet entre le prés-
ident Moubarak et le roi Abdallah II de Jordanie, le
américaine Con-
doleezza Rice doit
Les violences
partisanes ont fait
la position officielle des militants de son mouve-
ment qui refuse de reconnaître l'Etat d'Israël. C'est
N ouveau revers pour la démocratie
ministre égyptien des Affaires étrangères Ahmed entreprendre ce depuis la mi- à Damas que le chef du Hamas se serait exprimé, en Egypte. Les demandes de création
Aboul Gheit a précisé que les deux gouverne- week-end un nouvel décembre plus de Khaled Meshaal qui a assuré aussi que le vrai de 13 partis politiques ont été dé-
ments travaillaient sur une initiative conjointe pour effort diplomatique trente morts mais problème venait surtout de l'absence d'un état finitivement rejetées par la plus haute
aboutir à l'arrêt des violences entre militants du pour tenter de res- elles ont baissé pour les Palestiniens. autorité compétente du pays. L'énoncé
Hamas et du Fatah qui ont plus de 30 morts au susciter le processus d'intensité ces der- Pas de commentaire à Gaza. Le Premier min- du jugement du département des af-
cours des dernières semaines dans la Bande de de paix israélo- niers jours. istre Ismaïl Haniyeh a encore appelé au di- faires des partis auprès de la Haute
Gaza et en Cisjordanie. palestinien. Parlant à l'ouverture d'une réunion du gouverne- alogue et à la fin des violences qui déchirent cour administrative n'a pas été publié,
Le chef de la diplomatie jordanienne Abdul-Ilah Dahlane a en outre appelé Israël à ne pas s'in- ment à Gaza, le Premier ministre Ismaïl Haniyeh a les factions palestiniennes depuis l'annonce selon une source judiciaire, qui a
al-Khatib a également déploré les affrontements en- gérer dans les affaires palestiniennes, affirmant insisté "sur la nécessité d'empêcher que notre peu- d'élections anticipées par le président Mah- précisé que la décision était sans
tre factions palestiniennes, précisant que son pays que les déclarations israéliennes de à Abbas étai- ple ne tombe dans les luttes interpalestiniennes. Le moud Abbas pour sortir de l'impasse politique. appel. Ce département, composé de
et l'Egypte déploieraient tous les efforts pour tenter ent contre-productives. Le Hamas et le Fatah sont dialogue, et non pas les armes, doit être l'unique Le président Hosni Moubarak a appelé les fac- sept personnalités publiques nommées
d'y mettre un terme. "Nous devons user de tous les à couteaux tirés depuis l'annonce par Abbas le 16 moyen de résoudre de nos différends". tions palestiniennes à unifier leurs rangs pour par le ministre de la Justice et de sept
moyens possibles" pour éviter que ces violences ne décembre de sa décision de convoquer des élec- Rice doit rencontrer Abbas et le Premier ministre permettre l'établissement d'un Etat palestinien magistrats, est la plus haute instance
nuisent gravement à la région et "les arrêter im- tions anticipées, après l'échec de six mois de dis- israélien Ehud Olmert ce week-end dans le cadre et la relance du processus de paix. judiciaire chargée de trancher les dif-
médiatement". cussions sur la formation d'un cabinet d'union avec d'une nouvelle tournée régionale. Elle va explorer Moubarak a condamné le raid israélien mené en
le Hamas qui contrôle le cabinet et le Parlement férends concernant les partis pol-
les moyens d'aider les parties à progresser vers la Cisjordanie, alors qu'il rencontrait le Premier mini- itiques.
Climat de défiance après sa victoire électorale en 2006. résolution du conflit israélo-palestinien. Au Caire, un stre israélien Ehud Olmert dans la station balnéaire Il avait été saisi par les dirigeants des
L'homme fort du Fatah à Gaza, Mohammad Dah- sommet a réuni le roi Abdallah II de Jordanie et le de Charm el-Cheikh. Moubarak a appelé à "l'arrêt 13 partis politiques après le rejet de
lane, s'en est violemment pris au Hamas, le qual- Hors-la-loi président Hosni Moubarak qui s'efforcent de con- immédiat de tous les actes de violence et toute pra- leur demande d'autorisation par la
ifiant de "bande de meurtriers et de voleurs", au La tension est encore montée d'un cran depuis vaincre les Palestiniens de parvenir à un accord tique qui entrave les efforts" de paix. Commission des affaires des partis, un
organe semi-gouvernemental. Parmi
ces formations figurent les partis is-
La Paix perdue en Somalie depuis quinze ans lamiste Al-Wassat et nassérien Al-
Karama. "Ce tribunal est politisé et il
n'est qu'une partie intégrante du ré-
gime politique tyrannique" de l'Egypte.
Ce rejet "confirme que le pouvoir n'est
Force de paix en Somalie
L a Somalie est en guerre civile depuis 1991. En douze jours, du 20 décembre 2006 au 1er Les membres du Groupe de contact sur la Somalie qui, outre les pays de la région, comprend les
Etats-Unis et l'Union européenne, se sont prononcés en faveur d'un déploiement urgent de soldats
pas sérieux dans sa volonté de réforme
et que les réformes constitutionnelles
janvier 2007, les troupes éthiopiennes et somaliennes ont mis en déroute les islamistes qui évoquées ne sont que cosmétiques", a
de la paix en Somalie pour y stabiliser la situation après l'intervention éthiopienne. Alors qu'en Som-
contrôlaient depuis plusieurs mois une partie du sud et du centre de la Somalie. Ils seraient main- déclaré le représentant des fondateurs
alie, les islamistes ont promis de poursuivre leur combat, et tandis que les milices qui ont semé le
tenant cachés dans l'extrême sud. Le ministre éthiopien des Affaires étrangères, Seyoum Mesfin, du parti Al Wassat, Aboul Ela Madi.
chaos pendant quinze ans ont fait leur réapparition à Mogadiscio, le Groupe international de con-
a assuré que son pays se retirerait prochainement de Somalie et a demandé le déploiement de L'organisation des droits de l'Homme
tact s'est réuni à huis clos à Nairobi en présence du président somalien, Abdullahi Youssef. "Le
troupes de l'Union africaine (UA) pour combler le vide. Des raids ont été menés par des avions Human Rights Watch (HRW, basée à
Groupe a estimé qu'il était important que la sécurité soit en permanence assurée en Somalie", a dit
US contre des bases en Somalie présumées abriter des éléments d'Al-Qaïda. Ces attaques de New York) a appelé à "amender la loi
l'Américaine Jendayi Frazer, secrétaire d'Etat adjointe chargée des affaires africaines.
l'aviation américaine en Somalie constituent, en fait, un retour des sur les partis politiques en Egypte", af-
Le président Youssef et le Premier ministre Ali Mohamed Gedi se
Etats-Unis dans un pays où ils ont connu leurs échecs militaires les firmant dans un communiqué publié
sont engagés à rétablir l'ordre dans le pays. Tous deux ont réclamé
plus retentissants, symbolisés par le désastre de l'opération "Rendre cette semaine que cette loi "permet au
le déploiement de troupes de maintien de la paix africaines pour
l'espoir" en 1992 qui a lamentablement échoué. parti au pouvoir de déterminer ses con-
prévenir l'insécurité où le pays risque de retomber après le retrait
D'ailleurs, en décembre, lorsque l'Ethiopie a décidé d'intervenir mil- currents".
de l'armée éthiopienne.
itairement contre les tribunaux islamiques, elle reçut, outre l'accord ta-
cite, des informations stratégiques transmises par les satellites es- Des investissements
pions américains donnant aux forces éthiopiennes de traquer les Situation Egyptienne
L'Egypte s'est engagé à devenir le pre-
islamistes avant de les défaire. Plus, des navires de guerre américains De sa part, le président Hosni Moubarak a déclaré que l'Egypte
mier pays en Afrique à attirer les in-
prennent position au large du golfe d'Aden coupant toute possibilité de comprend que l'intervention éthiopienne a eu lieu sur demande du
gouvernement légitime de Somalie. Moubarak a tenu ces propos vestissements directs étrangers (IDE).
fuite aux islamistes acculés aux frontières du Kenya qui, de son côté, a
lors d'une rencontre dans la station balnéaire de Charm el-Cheikh, Le ministre de l'Investissement Mah-
bouclé ses frontières. Il ne restait plus à l'armée américaine qu'à
sur la mer Rouge, avec le ministre éthiopien des Affaires moud Mohieddin a fait cet engagement.
achever ce que les troupes éthiopiennes avaient si bien préparé par
l'attaque de ce qui subsistait des bases islamistes supposées abriter étrangères Seyoum Mesfin, qui a informé le président des derniers Un certain nombre d'investisseurs s'in-
des éléments d'Al-Qaïda. Ce que fit, l'armée US. Justifiant l'inter- développements en Somalie. téressent à investir en Haut Egypte, a dit
vention américaine, le président somalien, Abdullahi Youssef Ahmed a Après cette rencontre, le porte-parole de la présidence Sou- le ministre, ajoutant que son pays at-
estimé, à Mogadiscio, pour la première fois depuis sa désignation à la L’Américaine Jendayi Frazer, secrétaire d'Etat adjointe leimane Awad a déclaré que Moubarak avait également reçu un tirerait bientôt des investissements des
tête de l'Etat- que les Américains ont le droit de traquer les membres message du Premier ministre éthiopien Meles Zenawi sur la sit- pays arabes et du Golfe.
chargée des affaires africaines.
d'Al-Qaïda partout dans le monde, indiquant "les Américains ont le droit uation en Somalie. Moubarak est confiant que l'Ethiopie respecte En 2005, l'Egypte s'est classée
de mener des attaques aériennes contre des membres d'Al-Qaïda où la souveraineté et l'indépendance de la Somalie, et qu'elle n'a deuxième du point de vue des IDE
ils se trouvent". Alors que les Américains ont reçu l'approbation du pas d'ambition sur le territoire somalien. Moubarak était con- après l'Afrique du sud, selon un rapport
président somalien, les voix s'élèvent déjà pour condamner ces frappes. Notamment celle du vaincu que l'Ethiopie retirerait ses forces de Somalie dès que possible.1 Moubarak a ex- rendu public en octobre par la Confér-
nouveau secrétaire général de l'Onu. Ban Ki-moon s'est dit est préoccupé par ces raids, craig- primé son soutien pour le dialogue inter-somalien parrainé par l'Union africaine (UA), la ence des Nations Unies sur le com-
nant qu'ils n'entraînent une escalade des hostilités dans la région. La France s'est déclarée Ligue arabe et l'Autorité inter-gouvernementale de développement (Igad, regroupant sept merce et le développement (CNUCED).
préoccupée par l'intervention des Etats-Unis, qui selon elle "complique la situation". Le chef de la pays d'Afrique de l'est), a déclaré le porte-parole. Moubarak a dit que l'Egypte soutenait le Selon lui, l'Egypte a attiré quelques 6,1
diplomatie italienne, Massimo D'Alema, a dit que Rome s'opposait aux "initiatives unilatérales déploiement d'une force de paix africaine en Somalie pour appliquer la résolution de l'UA milliards de dollars des IDE en 2005 et
pouvant créer de nouvelles tensions dans une région déjà très déstabilisée". L'Italie est l'an- décidée en septembre dernier. Les 53 membres de l'UA ont adopté en septembre un plan de est montrée ces deux dernières années
cienne puissance coloniale dans la région. Enfin, L'Iran a condamné les raids aériens en af- déploiement d'une force africaine de 8.000 hommes dans la Somalie ravagée par la guerre, à 60ème place sur la liste mondiale de
firmant qu'ils étaient "contraires aux règles internationales". une décision qui s'était heurtée à l'opposition farouche des islamistes. A.F la CNUCED.
En Bref
Venezuela
Le président Hugo Chavez a été investi officiellement
ce mercredi pour un mandat de six ans au Venezuela.
Devant l'Assemblée nationale, il a promis la construc-
tion d'un nouveau système social, économique et pol-
itique. Un projet basé notamment sur d'importantes na-
tionalisations. Aux Etats-Unis on s'inquiète et on
s'interroge sur de possible violations de contrats.
L'Actualité dans la Presse
Irak
21 000 soldats supplémentaires envoyés en Irak. Française
C'est ce que devrait annoncer dans les heures pro-
chaines le président américain en dépit de la forte im-
popularité de cette mesure aux Etats-Unis. George Chirac ménage Villepin et Sarkozy
Bush prévoirait également que le gouvernement irakien Le chef de l’état a rendu un hommage appuyé au premier ministre et au
assume le contrôle du pays d'ici novembre prochain. ministre de l'Intérieur. C'était un superbe numéro d'équilibriste. En recevant
La victoire des Démocrates au Congrès, fruit d'un dé- les voeux des fonctionnaires et agents de l'état, à la préfecture de la Seine-
saveu de la population américaine pour la politique de Saint-Denis, à Bobigny, Jacques Chirac a ménagé les susceptibilités des
George W. Bush notamment en Irak avait redonné l'es- deux frères ennemis du gouvernement, Dominique de Villepin et Nicolas
poir aux anti-guerre de voir prochainement un dé- Sarkozy. Dans le « 9-3 », d'où sont parties les émeutes dans les banlieues à
sengagement des troupes. Depuis le ton a déjà chan- l'automne 2005, le président de la République a insisté sur la nécessité d'in-
gé. Face à l'entêtement de Nancy Pelosi, la nouvelle scrire dans la continuité la politique en faveur de l'égalité des chances. «
présidente de la Chambre des Représentants affiche Mon message, a-t-il dit, c'est que la nation a engagé un effort sans préc-
une fermeté teinté d'un aveu d'impuissance. Nancy Pe- édent pour l'égalité des chances, un effort qui est nécessairement de longue
losi: "Si le président choisi d'intensifier la guerre, nous haleine, un effort qui porte ses fruits mais qui ne s'inscrira véritablement
voulons voir dans son budget une distinction entre ce dans la réalité de chacun que s'il est poursuivi avec détermination et dans la
qui est alloué aux troupes actuellement sur le terrain et durée. »
ce que le président veut en plus pour les renforts. Il « Face à ce défi, il n'y a pas de place pour la division ou les faux débats »,
devra alors le justifier". a dit Jacques Chirac, ajoutant, en forme d'avertissement, que dans une so-
ciété « traversée de tensions », « ç'aurait été folie de se résigner à la progression des in- oléoniennes, cette stratégie ménage « des surprises » et passe, à ses yeux, par « une con-
Espagne égalités, à la victoire des logiques de castes, à une société devenant insidieusement une addi- figuration extrêmement mobile », avec « une aile droite, une aile gauche, une aile qui avance
Les polices française et espagnole traquent des tion de communautés repliées sur elles-mêmes ». « La réponse la plus juste, c'est la » et « des renforts, des troupes fraîches ». Pas du tout, à l'en croire, ce qui se passerait à
membres présumés de l'ETA alors que le groupe a réaffirmation, dans la réalité et sans faiblesse, de la République », c'est de prouver aux l'UMP, où le candidat Sarkozy se contenterait d'« additionner les talents », d'aligner les souti-
revendiqué mardi l'attentat de Madrid. Les forces jeunes, quelle que soit leur origine, qu'« ils sont tous les filles et fils de la République », a-t-il ens « comme des sardines dans une boîte ».
basques espagnoles recherchent deux membres dit, reprenant cette expression utilisée dans une allocution tirant les leçons de la crise des Nicolas Sarkozy a, pour sa part, ironisé sur le cercle de plus en plus restreint de ses op-
présumés du groupe séparatiste. Des hommes qui banlieues. posants au sein de la majorité. « Ils ne sont plus très nombreux. On peut même se demander
seraient liés à l'explosion dans l'aéroport de la Visiblement désireux de calmer le jeu et de montrer qu'il n'a pas d'ennemi dans sa famille s'il faut mettre un s à ils », a-t-il dit devant la presse. Signe d'apaisement ? Le président de
capitale espagnole. Ils auraient également planifié politique, Chirac a distribué un satisfecit à Sarkozy pour sa « mobilisation » contre la dé- l'UMP a eu un long aparté avec Claude Chirac. Quant au président de la République, il s'est
un autre attentat quelque part au Pays Basque. linquance et la violence, et à Villepin pour son « action résolue » contre le chômage. employé à mettre en scène cette paix armée, en posant la main tantôt sur l'épaule du ministre
Plus tôt en France, à Bayonne, les autorités pro- Mais, en marge de cette cérémonie, la présidentielle était dans toutes les têtes. Le premier de l'Intérieur, tantôt sur celle du premier ministre. Comme dans beaucoup
cédaient à l'arrestation de deux autres membres ministre a ainsi expliqué aux journalistes sa stratégie pour la victoire. « Il faut créer l'énergie, de batailles, la trêve n'a été que de courte durée, précédant de quelques
présumés de l'ETA. Ces premières interpellations l'élan, créer une dynamique, une machine à gagner », a-t-il dit. Inspirée des armées nap- minutes la bronca anti-Villepin des députés UMP
depuis l'attentat madrilène, viennent s'ajouter aux
28 arrestations de ces neuf mois de cessez-le-feu
au Pays Basque. tarif d’abonnement: Egypte:65 L.E - Pays arabes: 150 L.E - L’europe: 90 dollars - L’amérique: 100 dollars - L’australie: 120 dollars américain
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22.
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Watani Francophone Sunday
14 January 2007
Editor-in-chief Managing Editor 6 Touba 1723
Youssef Sidhom Samia Sidhom 25 Thul-Higga 1427
YEAR 6
ISSUE 309
Page 5 - 6
Editorial
Coptic hopes Emara apologises
Youssef Sidhom
In his keynote speech before the People’s As-
sembly and the Shura (Consultative) Council
—respectively the lower and upper chambers of Last Wednesday, Islamic schol- promised to formally correct his
Parliament—on 26 December, President Mubarak ar and writer Mohamed Emara, book.
laid the groundwork for the longed-for constitu- author of the book The Sedition of The issue had been raised in
tional amendment. The president’s initiative trig- Apostasy (Takfeer) between several Cairo daily and weekly
gered heated debate, reflecting divergent views of Shiites, Wahabis, and Sufis which papers, including national, indep-
the amendment of 34 articles proposed for change. had aroused the anger of Copts by endent, and Christian publica-
Veteran journalist Salaheddin Hafez very aptly ex- describing Christians as apostates tions, such as Rose al-Youssef,
pressed it in his column in Al-Ahram when he wrote or infidels, sent Watani a gra- al-Ghadd, Nahdet Misr, al-
that we stood before a historic moment; it was not cious, hand written apology ex- Khamees, al-Tareeq, al-Haditha
every day that the Constitution was amended. The plaining the mistake. Dr Emara and al-Kateeba al-Teebiya.
amendments, however, he wrote, should not be re- wrote: "the harm caused to others Lawyer and head of the
stricted to the articles suggested by the President but because of the words published Egyptian Union for Human
the door should be kept open for other amendments warrants an explicit, unequivocal, Rights Naguib Gabrail had
at the people’s will. candid apology on my part." He joined Father Morqos Aziz of
Normally, the amendments became the focus of explained that the phrase which the Hanging Church in Old
attention of intellectual pundits and law experts, as angered so many people was quot- Cairo in filing an official com-
well as party and media circles. Different distinctive ed from a book by one of the ma- Dr Mohamed Emara plaint to the prosecutor general
perspectives were offered on amending the Constit- jor Islamic scholars, Huggat al- against Dr Emara, accusing
ution so as to reformulate the groundwork of so- Islam al-Sheikh Abu-Hamed al- and his book him of promoting sectarian
ciety, and consolidate the values and attitudes upon Ghazali. This book, Dr Emara sedition and jeopardising
which future laws and legislation would be based. wrote, has been published in Is- national unity. Mamdouh
The President’s repeated stress on ‘citizenship lamic countries ever since 1000 Nakhla, manager of the Word
rights’ as a sacred principle to govern the relation- years ago, and he had unwittingly used the culprit quotation not realising it would cause Centre for Human Rights, had filed a complaint to the Islamic Research Centre,
ship among Egyptians gave cause for optimism. If so much harm. In fact, Dr Emara stressed, his book was not originally meant to refer to demanding confiscation of the book. He had furthermore said he intended to complain
the president’s statements are not to be mere rhet- Christians at all, but to bring closer Shias, Wahabis, and Sufis—a point stressed by against Dr Emara to the prosecutor general, on grounds that he has ridiculed the
oric, but would actively translate into legislation, Watani in its article of 31 December last year. Christian religion.
the foundation of the aspired civil State would have Until Watani went to press, the complainants said they will not withdraw their
been laid. The first complaints in light of Dr Emara’s apology, since he had not included all his insulting
By the same token, the President asserted that phrases and opinion in his apology, but had only apologised for a single phrase.
In its last issue in 2006, and under the title "A Christmas Gift" authored by Robeir
Egypt’s Muslim and Coptic population represented al-Faris, Watani International was the first to raise the issue of the book The Sedition of
its greatness and wealth, and that merit, loyalty, and
distinction were the sole criteria to assess in- Apostasy (Takfeer), in which Dr Emara wrote that: "the real apostates are well-known and Licence to kill
obvious. They are the Christians and Jews, who deny our Prophet and his message. Apos- Dr Mohamed Shamma, consultant to the Endowments Minister, said that all the
dividuals. Again such emphasis induced a general tasy is a sharie or Islamic legal ruling that warrants spilt blood [killing the apostate] on ministry’s publications are routinely revised before printing, but the works of Dr
comfort among Copts who now wait for these earth and an eternity in hell." The book was published by the Supreme Council of Islamic Emara, being such a prominent scholar, were exempt of revision. As for secular intel-
words to materialise into constitutional amend- Affairs, which is affiliated to the Ministry of Religious Endowments, and sold at the heav- lectual and writer Mohamed al-Baz, he had commented in an article in the weekly
ments. In fact, the President had many times before ily subsidised price of one Egyptian pound. It sold out in a matter of 24 hours, and Watani al-Khamees (Thursday) that Copts had every right to feel enraged; they were repeatedly
said that Muslims and Copts were equal, yet a host asked if the Ministry of Endowments, at whose head sits the enlightened Dr Mahmoud flagrantly abused then reconciled in a cheap, hypocritical fashion.
of malpractices worked to intensify discrimination Hamdi Zaqzouq, did indeed condone publishing the book? And why was the State, whose Watani’s Nasser Sobhy reports that Mr Gabrail said Dr Emara has used the quotation
between them. Whether based upon existing legisla- budget is financed by Christians as well as Muslims, subsidising books which propagate to give Muslims licence to kill Christians, throwing to the wind all concepts of citizen-
tion or dreadful norms imported from neighbouring such detrimental thought? ship rights. Moreover, Mr Gabrail said, Dr Emara disregarded the Qur’anic texts which
Bedouin cultures over the past decades, such dis-
criminatory behaviour became so entrenched in our recommended good treatment of Christians. The ministry, he added, should draw the
system so as to acquire a fake legitimacy. The apology book out of circulation. For its part, the Endowments Ministry promised to correct the
Since Copts have the same citizenship rights and Last Tuesday, Dr Emara was hosted on the popular talk show al-Beit Beitak (Feel at book in following editions, but said nothing about how it intends to deal with any
duties as Muslims, they should assume an active home) on Channel II of National TV, where he offered Copts an explicit apology and unsold copies of the current edition, which may be lying in its stores.
role in the ongoing national dialogue on the con-
stitutional amendments. In this context, I had the
honour of participating in a working group which item), notorious for the story and lewd pictures it
discussed the aspired constitutional amendments printed in June 2001 of sexual misconduct of a monk
with the outlook of enhancing Copts’ citizenship at al-Muharraq monastery near Assiut, Upper Egypt,
Copts
rights and putting an end to the ailments that plague who it later transpired had been defrocked five years
Egyptian society in this respect. earlier, adopts a line strongly hostile to Copts and the
It should be made clear, a priori, that the Con- Church. The paper was suspended for one year
stitution sets general principles which should following the 2001 incident, and its editor-in-chief,
translate into laws, provisions, and regulations or- Mamdouh Mahran, was tried and served a one-year
ganising the relationships among and between cit- prison sentence for printing erroneous information
izens and the State. The group in concern reached
in the
that led to sectarian violence. Mahran died in prison
the following conclusions: in 2002, and the paper, which resumed publication in
The Constitution establishes the principle that all 2002, appears to follow a vengeful course. Following
Egyptians are equal regardless of gender, colour, or last year’s killing of ten villagers in Beni-Mazar in
religion. Thus it is not to blame for legislation Minya, Upper Egypt—the culprit is to this day un-
discriminating between Muslims and Copts as known—the Al-Naba’ headline screamed that the
regards building and restoration of places of wor- killer was a Christian. It prints implausible, un-
Egyptian press
ship. The simple and swift solution to this problem substantiated stories on religious conversions.
would be a unified law for places of worship; a draft The daily independent Al-Fagr (The Dawn) has a
of one was referred to Parliament more than two weekly page on Coptic affairs which includes ultra-
parliamentary rounds ago. sensational stories on church affairs, not surprisingly un-
The flaws undermining Egyptians’ equal rights documented and unsubstantiated.
to occupy leading posts in public institutions
should be corrected through a frank and clear state- Robeir al-Faris Any careful observer of the Egyptian him—such as erroneous data concerning his health. Since Sensational
ment in the Constitution securing the absolute right press is bound to have noticed a August 2005 a daily paper with the same name has been Papers dominated by Islamic thought, such as Sawt al-
of all Egyptians to assume key posts—military and marked interest in Coptic affairs, focus on which has been issued by Rose al-Youssef publishing house, which regularly Umma (Voice of the Nation) or Al-Dostour (The Constitu-
civil—on basis of merit and competence alone. increasing of late. A few years ago, news relating to Copts prints articles by Coptic thinkers; Kamal Zakher, a known tion), regularly publish sensational stories on the Church or
Copts refrain from participating in legislative and their Church or coverage of issues connected to them opponent of the pope writes a Friday column. Opposition to the Pope, frequently bare of truth. Recently, Al-Dostour
and local councils because, first, they are part of was almost non-existent—except in papers or publications the Church, however, is conducted through debates and suggested that the pope had asked Copts not to use the
the great silent majority of Egyptians who avoid concerned with Copts such as Watani. Today every press or- controversy not through printing false information. Every phone since calls were tapped by the security apparatus,
participation in elections through nomination or ganisation includes one or more officials concerned with the Sunday edition includes a regular page on Coptic or Chris- while in truth the pope had said that no Confession could
voting. Second, political parties, beginning with so-called Coptic file, who is responsible for following the tian affairs, which presents news and issues concerning the be taken on the phone.
the ruling National Democratic Party, avoid field- news of the Church and covering sectarian issues and various Christian sects in Egypt, but not issues of faith or As for Al-Ghadd (Tomorrow), published by Al-Ghadd
ing Coptic candidates because their chances of events; in some cases even tackling matters of faith. creed. Ussama Salama, a prominent figure in Egyptian political party, it takes a line opposed to Pope Shenouda
success are minor in light of the existing in- State-owned papers, major among which is the Cairo daily journalism, is responsible for the page. It is no secret that, by III, since the pope declared his support of President
dividual candidacy system and the prevalence of Al-Ahram, take a scant interest in Church affairs, and are focusing on Coptic affairs, Rosa has distribution figures Mubarak in the last election of November 2005.
loyalties based upon family and religion. Hence usually content with printing official declarations on certain strongly in sight; printing material on Coptic affairs is ins- Al-Masri al-Youm (The Egyptian Today) is the first Egyp-
the calls for assigning a quota for Copts in elected events and the different church leaders’ addresses to their trumental in raising circulation. tian daily independent paper and has been on the market for
councils—such as proposed in case of women—as congregations on Christmas and Easter. Lately though Al-Qahira (Cairo), published by the Culture Ministry, is three years. It prints Coptic news and issues regularly, and
a temporary solution to the problem. Yet many Al-Ahram has been printing a Sunday column by Pope one of Cairo’s well-respected weeklies, and is valued by has a reputation for objective reporting which gained it a
Copts objected to this proposal, pointing out that Shenouda III, and has printed the memoirs of Father Matta intellectuals for its high-quality journalism. From 2000 and wide readership. It tackled events such as Wafaa’ Co-
Copts had rejected this quota system as far back as al-Miskeen following his death last June. Ashraf Sadeq is until 2003, Al-Qahira presented a series of articles, edited stantine’s case, the Alexandria sectarian violence, and Max
1923 when the first Egyptian Constitution was responsible for the Coptic file at Al-Ahram. by this writer, under the motto ‘Know the other who is Michel; and has also reported on such issues as the problems
drafted. However, it appears that legislation, not a yourself" on Coptic culture, figures, and rituals. At present of building churches and the real number of Copts in Egypt.
constitutional article, stipulating a quota for Copts Know the other however, material directly concerned with Copts and their
in elected councils is the sole outlet if the current culture has diminished, but Coptic issues are discussed in Food for thought
Rose al-Youssef, fondly called Rosa for short by Egyp-
individual candidacy system is to remain in force. the context of citizenship and national issues.
tians, is a weekly magazine which was founded in 1927 by Such abundant material on Copts in the Egyptian papers
But inasmuch as there appears to be a near con- actress Rose al-Youssef and her journalist husband Moh- makes food for thought. Beginning January 2007, Watani
sensus among legislators favouring the adoption of In vengeance
amed Abdel-Qodous and was nationalised in 1961 by the International will offer its readers a monthly roundup of
a slate system, which would guarantee the nomina- Nasser regime. Rosa has been heavily into Coptic issues To attain highest possible circulation figures, privately- Coptic issues and news in the Cairo press. In doing so, we
tion and rise of a reasonable number of women, since the 1990s during which period it constantly attacked owned papers include Coptic-related news and issues as hope to introduce readers to what may very well serve as a
Copts, intellectuals, and young people to councils,
the need for a Coptic quota is rendered irrelevant. Pope Shenouda III and printed false information on staple material in every issue. The weekly Al-Naba’ (News gauge of public sentiment as regards Copts.
The domination of the security apparatus over the
so-called ‘Coptic file’, especially in relation to of-
ficial documents and building places of worship,
N Revamping the dam
The German Reconstruction Bank has
Egypt by virtue of which Egypt will be
granted 432 million Japanese yen—about
increasing its profitability. A recent
conference, sponsored by the German
ment through which Egypt will set up a
medicine plant in South Sudan. Costs will
represents an additional burden shouldered by been chosen by the Irrigation and Water LE22 million—to rehabilitate floating Agency for International Co-operation, be met by the Egyptian private sector. The
Copts. They otherwise share the burdens shouldered
by all Egyptians due to the hegemonic power of the
E Resources Ministry to finance the feasibil-
ity study of rehabilitating Aswan Dam
irrigation pump stations in Upper Egypt.
Most of the agriculture land in Egypt
was held in Cairo to discuss the future of
the industry in Egypt. Attending were the
two sides agreed that the Egyptian
Ministry of Health and Population would
security apparatus in what I frequently termed ‘the
police State Egyptians live under’. Hence the vital W and modernising the monitoring system of
the High Dam. The study involves several
depends on irrigation by the Nile River
water, using irrigation and drainage
donors, officials, businessmen, industry
union members as well as researchers.
carry out a project to upgrade ambulance
services and therapy tourism in Sudan.
importance of undermining the role of the security alternatives including rehabilitating the pump stations for stable supply of water. Egypt and the EU have also signed a
apparatus in dealing with files which concern civic
issues, and creating an alternative civil body to deal
S old Aswan Dam to use for power genera-
tion, building a road linking the Nile's
There are 45 floating pump stations
along the Nile in Upper Egypt. Japan has
LE660 million agreement to support the
Egyptian government’s reform of the
Evening guests
Since the beginning of this year, the
with them. The common factor among such files is
the prevalence of citizenship and human rights val-
ues. Which brings us before a historic moment to in-
L east and west banks, or building a new
dam without touching the current power
stations. As part of the project, a Hydro-
so far provided some 3.6 billion
yen—about LE180 million—of grant as-
sistance for the rehabilitation of 26 float-
health insurance system. The agreement
aims at ultimately providing universal
coverage of primary health care to all
spectacular Horus Temple in Edfu, Upper
Egypt, is for the first time, receiving
visitors at night. During the past three
clude the National Council for Human Rights
(NCHR) among the sovereign powers in the Con- I Climate Data Network will be set up to
check the quantity of water which evap-
ing pump stations throughout three pre-
vious phases since 1992.
Egyptians in cities or in the countryside.
More than 90 per cent of health problems
years, and at the cost of some LE12 mil-
lion, the temple was fit with an ultra-
stitution. In this context, files now under the dom- orates from Lake Nasser, to find the best are resolved at the level of primary
ination of security would be referred to the NCHR.
Such were the main features of the proposals
N way to reduce water loss. For health and textiles
The European commission in Cairo has
health care.
modern lighting system, an electronic se-
curity system, and a special dock on the
Nile to receive the tourist boats. The tem-
aiming to put an end to Coptic grievances. But first
and foremost, Copts should be aware that contribu- E Irrigation pumps
Japan has signed an agreement with
granted Egypt LE580 million to be used
for developing the textile industry and
Sudan medical care
Egypt and Sudan have signed an agree-
ple is famous for being the best-preserved
among the temples of ancient Egypt.
tion in public life is a sacred national duty and is
the first step towards gaining citizenship rights. Published by Watani Printing and Publishing Corporation 27, Abdel Khaleq Tharwat st. Cairo – Egypt Tel. 202-3927201, 202-3936051 Fax 202-3935946 Website: www.watani.com.eg E-Mail: watanie@watani.com.eg
✂
23.
2 Watani International 14 January 2007
The Coptophile Column Blood Diamond
Blood Diamond are dia- Doss: We see lots of brutality in this
By John H. Watson By Mahfouz Doss monds sold for buying arms. These film. Did black Africans learn this
diamonds are smuggled out to pay for brutality from the white people?
more arms, increasing the death toll Hounsou: No and I think it’s a mis-
Easter 2006 has quickly passed in the The film, Blood Diamond, is set in and destruction. take to say that we learned brutality
Western churches (16 April), and for the western African country of Sierra The film is a very powerful from white people. Nothing about
all Orthodox churches (April 23), but Leone. It portrays the brutal life that story. Leonardo Dicaprio deserves a brutality is learned by anybody. We
one tremendous gift has come from prevails in this African country where nomination for his role as best actor have it in us. But I have to say that
two Orthodox American Christians. life is cheap and killing is easy. drama. I would not be surprised that when you oppress and suppress peo-
It is a large one hundred and seventy- Djimon Hounsou is an African actor Djimon Hounsou will also be nomi- ple long enough you rip and tear them
five-page volume of visual delight born in Benin plays the role of Solo- nated for his outstanding perform- apart from their natural resources and
and spiritual insight. mon. His high hopes for his son’s ance. from bettering their lives. Something
The catalogue is the work of education are shattered as his son is will have to snap sooner. The envi-
Robert John Klancko and Yvonne kidnapped and rounded up with other I met Djimon Hounsou. He ronment and the life condition play a
Shia Klancko. Their exhibition children and teenagers to be indoc- speaks French fluently as he was edu- big role in people’s behavior.
‘Easter Eggs and Art’, at the Knights trinated and brainwashed. cated in the French colony of Benin,
of Columbus Museum in Newhaven his birth place, moved to Lyon France I met with Jennifer
Connecticut, celebrates the centuries Solomon is enslaved to then to Paris. He is an accomplished Connelly who received the Golden
old custom of decorating eggs. Chris- mine for diamonds. Globe and Oscar awards for
tians do gather around the kitchen He finds an extraor- her role in Beautiful Mind.
table to dye eggs, but the Klancko dinary and a rare dia- We also remember her out-
collection is a medley of natural and mond. He hides it at standing role in “House of
recreated images reflecting Ortho- a great risk of being Sand and Fog.”
doxy and the creative mystery of killed if he is discov- I asked Connelly:
faith. ered. Leonardo Could you share with
Easter Eggs throughout the Dicaprio is an ex- me an adventure that hap-
Christian world are used to represent mercenary from pened to you when you were
Jesus Christ in his Incarnation, Death Zimbabwe who in Africa?
and Resurrection. To quote only one trades diamonds for Connelly: Yes when we
hymn: “Christ is risen from the dead, arms as a living. were in Kruger State Park in
trampling down death by death.” Jennifer Connelly is South Africa, we were told
Orthodox images lie at the heart of an American idealis- to always keep the sliding
Faith. tic journalist who is doors of our balconies
in Sierra Leone to closed. We went for a cup of
The present columnist has expose the brutal coffee and forgot to close the
travelled across Russia during the treatment of the dia- doors. When we came back
Soviet period, observing works of mond industry lead- we saw the baboons have
enormous skill and of great simplic- Mahfouz Doss (left) interviewing Djimon Hounsou, the
ers. raided our mini-bar. They ate
ity. The ‘eggs’ of Resurrection may African actor who plays the role of Solomon in the film,
Each of the Blood Diamond. all the candies, the choco-
be executed in wood, papier-mâché, characters in the film late, the nuts and spilled the
porcelain or metal. Images of Nativ- Enslaved to mine for diamonds, Solomon risks
has their own private milk. Candies wrappers
ity and the Theotokos are always be- his life for a rare diamond which he finds and hides.
agenda .For But this is only one part of the thrilling story… were all over the place. Ba-
fore us, but images of the Crucifix- The Klancko exhibition ‘Easter Eggs and Art’, at the Knights of Leonardo Dicaprio it boon’s footprint over our
ion, the three-barred cross and the Columbus Museum in Newhaven, Connecticut, celebrates the cen- is finding the rare bed.
holy napkin are also present. turies-old custom of decorating eggs. diamond hidden by actor.
The napkin is a primary im- Christians do gather around the kitchen table to dye eggs, Solomon to trade it for arms and his I asked Hounsou: Doss: What was the most important
age, even in the West, for the Holy but the Klancko collection is a medley of natural and recreated im- way out of Africa. As for Solomon How do you see yourself to- thing you brought back from acting
Mandylion (Holy Cloth), the “Christ ages reflecting Orthodoxy and the creative mystery of faith. (Djimon Hounsou), is finding his son day as an actor in Hollywood? in this film?
Not Made by Hands”, depicts his at a great risk to his life. As for Hounsou: It’s an on going struggle. Connelly: Without any doubt it was
face. The napkin was “not made by Jennifer Connelly, a magazine story But I have to say I am lucky and a very enriching experience; spend-
hands” because a Syrian king asked faith, hope, love and the vision of sand eggs, was the work of Saint to uncover the inhumane treatment blessed to have acted in films that ing time in such natural and beauti-
for Christ to come to heal him. Christ eternity. This is Christian Art. The Andrei Rublev (c.1360-c.1430). by the diamond industry leaders. mean a lot to me. These films deal ful places; to see the wildlife; and to
pressed the holy cloth to his face. material used in iconography always There is a scene in the film with Africa the continent I was born go on safari. I liked Maputo in Mo-
This image was brought to the Syr- requires understanding and even de- The Hospitality of Abraham is which is important and poignant to in. Blood Diamond in particular deals zambique with its vibrant culture.
ian king and he was healed. In an- votion. The egg – especially that ele- a foreshadowing of the revelation at all of us. This scene is when finally with what is affecting Africa in terms
cient tradition the Holy Mandylion is ment used in egg tempera – is the Pentecost (Acts 2.1-4). It became a Solomon finds his son after great of misery, refugees, and the displace- I also met with Leonardo
regarded as the first icon of Christ. symbol of life, resurrection, eternity universal theme in Christian Art even hardship and danger to his own life, ment of millions of people, the chil- DiCaprio. I asked him:
In Russian tradition, for many cen- and physical and spiritual purity. on Easter eggs. It is common to speak but only to be faced with his son dren soldiers issue, rape and slavery. What effect shooting the film
turies, the Easter Egg has provided of the icon’s underlying allegory. We pointing the gun at him. This repre- Africa is rich in many resources not in Africa had on you?
innumerable images of the holy nap- It is likely that the beautiful should perhaps prefer to think of the sents the power of brainwashing and only diamond. How come these Af- DiCaprio: You can’t help but not be
kin from the story of King Agbar of catalogue of Easter Eggs and Art great overarching metaphor of this indoctrinating children and teenagers rican countries are not reaping the affected by shooting on location and
Edessa, Syria. It is an image of re- from the Knights of Columbus Mu- ‘Hospitality’. At the deepest level of that goes on to become suicide bomb- benefit of their resources? How come places like Mozambique which has
lief, recovery and deliverance. seum can be purchased in Connecti- thought and devotion this image ena- ers. They are not motivated by money they are not better off? That big com- endured civil war for the last 20 years
cut. It is a volume of piercing and bles us to experience what cannot be but by conviction. pany is the only one benefiting. and has been ravaged by AIDS epi-
Folk art is an expression for rewarding splendour. seen, as if it were there for us. demic and poverty. I admire the re-
many in the East. There are eggshells The Seventh Ecumenical siliency of these people and their
and wooden eggs. These may be The Klanckos’ lovely 2006
decorated with geometric, floral or Easter Egg catalogue refers to one of
Council (787) forbade any direct de- Coptic Orphans Helping Children spirit. I saw them conducting nor-
piction of the Father. But the miracle mally their daily life; even dancing.
animal designs reflecting tra-
ditional folk images in Easter
of this icon is to bring us within Survive and Succeed When I came back it made me real-
sight of the deepest of all mys- ize how fortunate we are for living
Christendom. Ordinary pa- teries. In Orthodox conscious- Nermien Riad Selected as a Nonprofit Congress Delegate in the U.S.A.
rishioners decorate raw and ness every icon is miraculous
wooden eggs, not only as gifts
and expression of their faith
in the sense that it is charged By Doris Abdel Messieh Doss: You acted as a mercenary;
with the life-giving energy of could you tell me what went into your
but to ensure the true sense of the Spirit of God. Our eyes are mind to portray that role?
Nermien Riad, Executive Director of
devotion and spiritual health. opened to the invisible. We see, DiCaprio: The first thing I learned
Coptic Orphans, represented the
It is clear that profes- through the use of inverse per- how this character will sort his feel-
Commonwealth of Virginia at the
sionally created works of spective - reversing the con- ings, being a South African in the post
Nonprofit Congress National Meet-
Christian Orthodox art em- apartheid era of Africa; the political
ventional lines of perspective ing, held 16-17 October 2006 in
body an age-old tradition in instability; a character that has to dic-
- that each line and every col- Washington, DC. Riad’s selection as
iconography, in ceramics and tate from where he comes from. It
our highlights the real presence one of the delegates to the Nonprofit
enamelling. Using highly helped me to be with mercenaries and
of the holy persons; whose Congress on behalf of all nonprofits
skilled techniques, developed to learn from them.
heads are the most eloquent use in Virginia demonstrates the leader-
by iconographers and lacquer-
of this technique. ship role that Coptic Orphans has
box artists, we see many im-
ages of Christ, all available in taken among nonprofits in innova-
Orthodoxy has never offered tion, effectiveness, and accountabil- Watani International
the most sophisticated and
a definitive identification of the ity, even as a relative newcomer to
simplest forms.
three angels. Perfect equality is the sector. Page 2 Editor
Iconographic symbols
articulated: any angel could be Coptic Orphans
of sunbursts (the Son), netting
substituted for another. There (www.copticorphans.org) is an or-
Saad Michael Saad
(fishers of men), continuous
bands of paint and light (eter- is neither repetition nor confu- ganization dedicated to empowering
sion of divine persons. The cir- vulnerable children in Egypt through Page 3 Editor
nity), wheat (bounty), willow
branches (representing cularity of the image expresses education, health, housing, and Nermien Riad, Executive Adel Guindy
the perichoresis of the Holy mentorship. Riad founded the or- Director of Coptic Orphans.
Christ’s entry into Jerusalem),
and animals (God’s gift of Trinity, which is that move- ganization in 1988, which has since Subscriptions
ment of mutual love in which directly benefited over 14,000 chil- acted as an ambassador for future of
food): all the eggs convey the
essence of Orthodox Christian Father, Son and Holy Spirit dren, initiated programs to attack il- the nonprofit world. She helped & Advertising
Faith. ‘coinhere’ in the timeless reci- literacy, spearheaded a grassroots identify the top issues, priorities, and Subscription rates for one year
The professional ico- procity of a ‘round dance’. network of over 200 volunteer child values that connect all charitable or- (52 issues):
nographer, probably working advocates, and mobilized thousands ganizations. She assisted in the iden- North America US $ 100
in a monastery or Orthodox The central figure’s hand of donors and supporters internation- tification of priority and policy al-
The Klanckos’ lovely 2006 Easter Egg cata- reaches out in a tender bless- Europe, Africa US $ 90
institution, and the laity, prob- ally through awareness campaigns. ternatives to be included in the
logue refers to one of the best-loved images ing. Two fingers express the Coptic Orphans has been nonprofit Congress action plan, and Australia, Far East US $ 120
ably working at home, know
of the Christian world. It is The Hospitality humanity and divinity of the widely recognized among nonprofits she assisted in the formation of an _____________________________
____________________________
how to express Orthodox faith
of Abraham: Foreshadowing the Holy Trin- Son. The cup, not in inverse since Riad became the full time ex- action plan for uniting the nonprofit Kindly complete the form below,
and hope; most Christian art-
ity, (Genesis 18: 1-16). perspective, is a centre of at- ecutive director in 2000 after having sector and enhancing its effective- and send it along with your
ists will especially trust in the
The central figure’s hand reaches out tention. It is the sacrificial chal- led the organization on a voluntary ness. payment in US$ or equivalant,
Resurrection of Jesus Christ
in a tender blessing. Two fingers express the ice of Christ’s death: “Here is basis for 12 years. The recent formation of the payable to
from the dead. Symbols, col-
humanity and divinity of the Son. the Lamb of God who takes The Washington Post has rec- Nonprofit Congress represents a
our and geometry are used to Watani International
proclaim the Gospel. away the sin of the world!” The ognized Coptic Orphans for its or- growing sense that the nonprofit sec- 14308 Summer Tree Road,
Eucharistic Liturgy is the sac- ganizational teamwork, its effective tor needs to unite and become more Suite G
For all the Eastern Orthodox the best-loved images of the Chris- rament of salvation, the heart of the and innovative involvement of board effective through greater coordina- Centreville, VA 20121
churches, including the tradition of tian world. It is The Hospitality of Church and the invitation to share members, volunteers, and donors, tion, accountability, and efficiency. Tel: 571-522-6560
neo-Coptic iconography developed Abraham: Foreshadowing the Holy bread with the hungry. and Coptic Orphans’ ability to build Given the previous successes of Fax: 571-522-6561
by Isaac Fanous, when he worked Trinity, Genesis 18: 1-16. This im- strong partnerships. Coptic Orphans, it is appropriate that Or pay by credit card
with Leonid Ouspensky and Paul age began its life in the early fifteenth No annotations about the The Association for among the three future priorities for Name on the card:
Edvokimov in Europe, the icon is al- century. To venerate an egg as an icon Holy Trinity icon can be exhaustive, Fundraising Professionals invited the nonprofit sector that Riad helped ____________________________
___________________________
ways the embodiment of faith. The is possible because we know the im- but Pavel Florensky (b.1882) con- Coptic Orphans in 2005 to speak to vote through the Congress are a fo- Card #: _____ _____ _______
icon is a window into heaven. It takes age itself. Light passes through the veys its significance. On the eve of other Nonprofits about its innovative cus on nonprofit organizational ef- Expiration Date: _____________
the believer from the past and the materials. The eye reflects the image. his martyrdom in the Soviet Union use of in-kind donations to drasti- fectiveness, especially accountabil- Card Type: ˚ Master Card
present into the eternal. The stories The outcome is almost mystical. on 8 December 1937, the priest-sci- cally cut administrative overhead, ity and leadership, and a focus on ˚ Visa ˚ American Express
told are often simple and straightfor- The eyewitness, meeting the entist wrote with pardonable hyper- and the Catalogue for Philanthropy more effective and coordinated ad- Address:
ward, yet they always point to a world icon-egg itself, is more likely to sense bole: “Of all the philosophical argu- currently features Coptic Orphans in vocacy. __________________________________
__________________________________
beyond this world. the significance of transfigured mat- ments for the existence of God, the the 2006-07 catalogue as one of the ___ __________________________________
__________________________________
The religious significance of ter. The aesthetic viewpoint has less one carrying most conviction is not most overall effective nonprofits in Doris Abdel Messieh is Director of Telephone:________________
any icon in any Coptic Orthodox weight than the spiritual vision. The in textbooks: ‘Rublev’s Holy Trinity the greater Washington, DC area. Public Relations at Coptic Orphans. Fax:_______________________
church in Egypt is the expression of original icon, reproduced on a thou- icon exists, therefore God exists.’” As a delegate, Nermien Riad dabdelmessieh@copticorphans.org
24.
14 January 2007 Watani International 3
A Hanging and a Funeral Wrong Values
all much too reminiscent of what used to happen imported. We are to blame for not creating the
Thomas L. Friedman here.” security needed for those values to take hold. But
But as I said, that was a strange day. After not enough of our Iraqi allies have risen to the
It was a strange day. It started with the hanging watching Saddam’s hanging in the morning, I was occasion, either. It was our closest Iraqi partners
of Saddam Hussein. The more I read about the sitting at my computer late in the afternoon and who oversaw Saddam’s tribal hanging. We have
hasty, quasi-legal maneuvers used by Iraq’s suddenly heard the strains of “My country ‘tis of to look that in the eye.
Shiite leaders to rush Saddam to the gallows on thee, sweet land of liberty” being played on the Saddam deserved to die 100 deaths. But imagine
a Muslim holiday, Id al-Adha, and the more I TV in the next room. When I checked what was if Iraq’s Shiite leaders had surprised everyone,
watched the grainy cellphone video of the going on, I saw President Ford’s coffin being declared that there had been enough killing in Iraq
event, in which a guard is heard taunting unloaded from Air Force One. and commuted Saddam’s sentence to life in prison
Saddam with chants of “Moktada! Moktada!” I have to admit I got a lump in my throat — sparing his life in hopes of uniting the country
— the Shiite cleric whose death squads have watching that scene and listening to that stirring rather than executing him and dividing it further.
killed hundreds of Sunnis — and the more I melody. Saddam’s execution was a snapshot of a I don’t know if it would have helped, but I do know
read of the insults Saddam spat back, the more country divided. Gerald Ford’s funeral was a Iraqis have rarely surprised us with gestures of
it resembled a tribal revenge ritual rather than snapshot of a country united — political supporters reconciliation — only with new ways to kill each
the culmination of a constitutional process in and opponents alike paying tribute to a president, other.
which America should be proud to have who was surrounded by an honor guard Now President Bush wants a “surge” of more
participated. representing every color of the American rainbow U.S. troops to Baghdad, in one last attempt to bring
Bassam al-Husseini, an aide to Iraq’s Shiite prime and whose place in history was secured by an act order. Whenever I hear this surge idea, I think of
minister, was quoted by the BBC as saying of pardon and national healing. a couple who recently got married but the marriage
Saddam’s execution was “an Id gift to the Iraqi How fortunate to live in a country where this is was never very solid. Then one day they say to
people.” Many Sunnis would not share that view. the political norm, built up over generations. each other, “Hey, let’s have a baby, that will bring
For his part, Saddam, a Sunni, used his last breaths “Because of our basic unity, we can afford to be us together.” It never works.
to spew vitriol against “the traitors, the Americans, divided on specific issues,” said Michael If the underlying union is not there, adding a
the spies and the Persians.” For Persians, read Mandelbaum, author of “The Case for Goliath.” baby won’t help. And if the underlying willingness
Shiites. “Democracy is about differences and contesting to share power and resources is not present among
No wonder the BBC’s world affairs editor, John them in the public sphere, and it only works when the major communities in Iraq, adding more U.S.
Simpson, reported from Baghdad: “Altogether, the there is basic agreement about the fundamentals. troops won’t help either. Adding more troops
execution as we now see it is shown to be an ugly, We should feel fortunate that we have a democratic makes sense only if it’s to buy more time for
degrading business, which is more reminiscent of
a public hanging in the 18th century than a
history and set of beliefs. Those beliefs can be
imported by those who want them and don’t have
positive trends that have already begun to appear
on the horizon. I don’t see them.
Paying the Price
considered act of 21st-century official justice. them, but they can’t be exported. We can only As Saddam’s hanging underscored, Iraqis are
Under Saddam Hussein, prisoners were regularly
taunted and mistreated in their last hours. The most
create a context where others would want to import
them.”
doing things their way. So maybe it’s time to get
out of their way.
Middle East Christians: What Next?
disturbing thing about the new video of Saddam’s The raw tribal theatrics of Saddam’s hanging __________________ Arabs are a vulnerable minority caught between
execution for crimes precisely like this is that it is highlight just how few of these values Iraq has The New York Times Stephen Farrell sympathy for their fellow Palestinians under Is-
raeli occupation and their own tensions with the
Christians in the Middle East have paid a high much larger Muslim Palestinian community.
Epiphany price for the Iraq war, the publication of cartoons
depicting the Prophet Muhammad and the Pope’s
Even before the Iraq war there had been a pal-
pable increase in anger towards the United States
controversial remarks about Islam. because of President Bush’s use of the phrase “cru-
How Both the Life of Mind and That of Heart Can be Good Egyptian Copts, Iraqi Chaldeans and the Pales- sade” for the war on terrorism shortly after 9/11.
tinian Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant In Gaza, Christians saw neighbours’ anger mount
These days, however, there is a wide-spread ways of knowledge past,/ To th’ shepherds’ won- communities have faced violence and even death at the US-led occupation of Iraq. Matters were
Canon Dr Judith Maltby notion among religious people, at least among der come at last;/ To know can only wonder breed,/ at the hands of their Muslim neighbours. made worse by the publication of cartoons of
Christians, which prefers the spontaneity of the And not to know is wonder’s seed.” Godolphin, Canon Andrew White, president of the Founda- Muhammad and by a speech from Benedict XVI
In the Christian feast of the Epiphany, the ar- shepherds to the long, hard slog of the magi. It very much a member of the intellectual elite of tion for Reconciliation in the Middle East, told that described Islam as a religion of violence.
rival of a second set of human visitors to the isn’t hard to find preachers and pastors, liberal or his time, is nonetheless being counter-cultural in The Times that the Iraq war had had a dire effect Hanna Massad, the pastor of Gaza Baptist
infant Christ is celebrated. The first set, the shep- conservative, high or low, Protestant or Catholic, his understanding of these two sets of seekers of on the lives of Christians in the region, particu- Church, said that the conflicts highlighted a diffi-
herds, we are told rushed to Bethlehem urged expressing the view that feeling matters more than the Christ. He presents not a hi- larly in Iraq, where he is the cult issue of identity for Christian Arabs. “The is-
on by direct angelic intervention. In contrast, the thinking; spirituality more than theology. In this erarchy but a kind of democracy vicar of St George’s Church in sue is who we are. Are we first Christians or are
wise men take years: stopping, measuring, cal- assessment the heart always trumps the head. In- among those who seek. Baghdad. we Palestinians?” he said.
culating, assessing, consulting. There is some- deed the faith that comes from direct revelation - Godolphin’s insight to us is that “All my staff at the church “For me my priority is my faith. I am a Chris-
thing fantastical and exotic about the magi and for the shepherds a visitation from the angelic sen- it is the object of the journey that have been killed,” he said. tian first but I am also a Palestinian, I am Arab. Of
one modern biblical translation prefers to call ior staff in St Luke’s story - is far superior to the gives grace: “’Tis true, the object “They disappeared about a course as a Christian Palestinian Arab we suffer
them “astrologers” rather than “sages” or “wise long drawn out inquiry of the magi in St Matthew’s sanctifies/ All passions which year ago and we never saw with the [Israeli] occupation but at the same time
men”. Working in a university, I prefer to think story. Anti-intellectualism is one of the ecumeni- within us rise.” For the Christian them again. Of the rest of my I cannot, because of my personal faith, use vio-
of the magi as the “three dons”: prone at times cal success stories of modern Christianity. We all it is Christ who sanctifies and congregation, most say they lence.”
to over-speculation, immersed in theory, at times subscribe. hallows the journey, not us. have been targeted in some In Jordan conditions are easier in a dwindling
unaware that their intellectual pursuits may have In the Church of England it is commonplace to There is something of the shep- way or have had letters deliv- Christian community that remains an influential
unintended consequences for others; their jour- hear the view that theological inquiry at worst herd and something of the ma- ered with bullets in them. Peo- force in a country ruled by a Hashemite king claim-
ney to Christ made even longer by the frequent destroys faith, at best is inferior to uncritical ac- gus in each of us, and therefore ple forget, or the Islamic ing descent from the Prophet Muhammad. Here
need to apply for research funding from the gov- ceptance - as though the life of faith was chiefly also in our common life. Christ groups don’t realise, that Christian Arabs sent thousands of letters to the
ernment. about an uncritical, emotional assent to a set of draws out both the spontaneity of Christianity was in the Middle Holy See asking the Pope to apologise for his re-
The 17th-century Cornish poet Sidney propositions about God that can only get muddled the shepherds and the calculation East before them and therefore cent controversial remarks about Islam.
Godolphin contrasted these two approaches to and muddied by thinking about it. It is tempting of the wise men. In the new or- they see Christians as being Christians can practise their faith freely and
Christ: “Wise men in tracing nature’s laws/ As- therefore to beat the currently fashionable coun- der created by the Word made part of the Western coalition members of the royal family often attend Christ-
cend unto the highest cause;/ Shepherds with ter-cultural drum and stick up for the magi against flesh, to think and to feel are partners, not rivals. military presence. Things have got considerably mas and Easter ceremonies.
humble fearfulness/ Walk safely, though their the shepherds. _______________________________________ worse since the Iraq war.” Christians in Jordan and other neighboring states
light be less.” Godolphin would appear to know Returning to Godolphin, though, the poet has Canon Dr Judith Maltby is chaplain and fellow Tensions have also increased elsewhere. In Syria began leaving for the West more than a century
which way is better and is just a touch conde- some surprises. The superiority of the magi is not of Corpus Christi College, Oxford and reader in one Christian Assyrian said that he was planning ago to escape the poverty of the Ottoman Empire.
scending: “Though wise men better know the what it appears: “There is no merit in the wise/ church history at the University of Oxford. The to emigrate to Canada because of growing Islamic Estimates put the number of Arab Christians liv-
way,/ It seems no honest heart can stray.” But love (the shepherd’s sacrifice):/ Wise men, all Guardian fundamentalism in a society having to absorb huge ing in the diaspora at 4 million, with between 10
numbers of Iraqi refugees. “I do not feel at ease million and 15 million living in the Middle East.
any longer and I do not want my two sons to live __________
in this polarised society and atmosphere,” he said.
Techno In Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Christian
The Times
New Disc May Help Consumers Torn by DVD Wars
Betamax did when VHS became dominant.
Richard Siklos In a world besotted with gadgetry, few DVDs for a disc that would work on both
consumer products have generated as much players.
Consumers wary of buying new high- excitement — and head-scratching — as Still, it is not clear whether news of
definition DVD players because of a high-definition television. Flat-screen, high- Warner’s Total HD disc would persuade
technology war reminiscent of Betamax definition TVs have been flying off the studio heads who are backing one format or
versus VHS will soon have a new kind of shelves for the past year and are now nearly the other to release their wares on both. Sony
DVD that might make the decision less as common in homes as coffee pots. Yet few has placed a big bet on Blu-ray’s success and
daunting. people are actually watching the superclear does not want to relive a defeat like the one
Warner Brothers (WB), which helped high-definition programming. it suffered with Betamax. The number of
popularize the DVD more than a decade ago, For now, a number of companies are studios committed solely to Blu-ray has been
plans to announce next week a single releasing their DVDs only in Blu-ray. These seen as a competitive edge compensating for
videodisc that can play films and television include Sony; Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer, the fact that HD-DVD came to market several
programs in both Blu-ray and HD-DVD, the which is owned by private equity firms in months ahead of Blu-ray.
rival DVD technologies. partnership with Comcast and Sony; 20th But HD-DVD’s boosters have said they
Last year, high-definition DVD players Century Fox, a division of News Corp.; and doubt that gaming fans who have been
were introduced by two rival camps: a Walt Disney Pictures. Universal Studios, snapping up the recently introduced
consortium called Blu-ray, backed by Sony owned by General Electric, is releasing only PlayStation 3 will take advantage of its built-
and others, and a group called HD-DVD, in HD-DVD. Warner and Paramount Pictures, in Blu-ray player and buy movies as well as
backed by Toshiba and Microsoft. Retail and a division of Viacom, are issuing DVDs in video games.
media executives have said that this clash of In recent interviews, executives at Fox and
corporate titans and their incompatible
both formats.
Behind these allegiances are complex Disney were unequivocal in their support for Nuggets
machines is leaving some consumers strategic questions involving just about Blu-ray. They said they believed that
bewildered and slowing the introduction of releasing DVDs in both formats would only
everything from manufacturing costs to profit
prolong confusion and the emergence of a
Laila Farid to become an ecumenical temple where believers
what is intended to be the next great thing in margins, debates over each format’s technical from all faiths could worship.
home entertainment. strengths and weaknesses and how these winning format. “I think the fastest way to ♦ Requests to Form ‘Ecumenical However, the bishop of Cordoba said the pro-
Executives at Time Warner and its players relate to Microsoft’s and Sony’s end the format war is through decisiveness Temple’ in Spain Refused posed move would not help to pave the way for
Hollywood subsidiary of WB hope to spur and strength,” said Bob Chapek, president of The Roman Catholic bishop of Cordoba in Spain the peaceful co-existence between people of dif-
video- game strategies.
sales of new DVD players and movies by Buena Vista Worldwide Entertainment, the ferent religions. Shared use of places of worship
Blu-ray players are built into the new Sony could make sense in airports or an Olympic vil-
gaining the support of retailers and cajoling PlayStation 3, while Microsoft is selling HD- home video arm of Walt Disney.
Like other Blu-ray proponents and lage, but not in a consecrated Catholic cathedral,
rival studios into making their film and DVD drives that attach to its Xbox 360. In the bishop emphasised.
television libraries available in both formats another wrinkle, LG Electronics, and possibly partners, Chapek said he favored Blu- ray
The Cordoba mosque was turned into a Catho-
on a single disc. In addition to resurrecting a other gadget makers attending the Las Vegas because of its greater storage capacity, among
lic cathedral in the 13th Century after the city was
kind of war that marked the introduction of conference, plan to announce new DVD other attributes. HD-DVD offers the same conquered by King Ferdinand III.
videocassettes in the 1980s, the high- players with drives for both formats; however, vivid picture but stores less information on
definition battle has been exacerbated by the such players will probably be more expensive its disc, which means fewer minutes of video ♦ Restaurants Must Count Calories
decision of several major studios to support than other players at first. and other features. However, among their As of next year, in a decree passed this month,
only one of the technologies. Jeffrey Bewkes, president of Time Warner, perceived advantages, HD-DVD players are restaurant chains in New York will be obliged to
Barry Meyer, WB’s chairman and chief less expensive and play standard DVDs, list calories on their menus.
said the Total HD disc had a better chance of The regulation was passed by the New York City
executive, said in an interview that the catching on than dual players. Research while Blu-ray players do not.
Because of manufacturing complexities, Board of Health as one of a series of measures to
company had come up with the Total HD disc commissioned by Warner indicated that help prevent obesity.
after concluding that neither Blu-ray nor HD- consumers were willing to pay several dollars the Total HD disc will not contain a standard
DVD was likely to disappear soon, as format version, said Kevin Tsujihara,
more than the price of current high-definition ♦ Saudi Women Can’t Drive Cars, but
president of Warner Brothers Home Can Sell Them
Entertainment Group. In Saudi Arabia, potential female buyers can now
In the short term, Total HD will add to the go to an all-women showroom where other women
number of formats retailers will have to stock, will help them choose a car and answer all their
to four from three. But Irynne MacKay, senior questions.
vice president for entertainment products at Neither the saleswomen nor the female buyers
Circuit City, said she supported the idea can take a car out for a test drive because women
because it would take pressure off consumers are banned from driving in Saudi Arabia — even
puzzling over which format to invest in. “The though they have been allowed to own cars for
decades and hire male drivers. Almost half the
simpler the future is for us, the better,”
autos belong to women.
MacKay said. has rejected an appeal from Muslims asking to be __________________________________________________
allowed to pray in the city’s cathedral. Sources: Christian Today, The Guardian and
IHT (abridged) The Islamic Board had asked for the cathedral Washington Post