Weekly News Update: 9/6/2011

By Amani El Sehrawey

The Virgin Church in Cairo’s Imaba district, damaged in the sectarian violence last month was reopened by Prime Minister Essam Sharaf. Sharaf opened the Church before a crowd of both Muslims and Copts, who were chanting slogans of national unity. He spoke of the importance of peaceful relations between Muslims and Copts, and emphasized the work of the newly formed national justice committee, whose purpose is to preserve national unity and combat sectarian strife. 48 Christians and Muslims connected to the May violence in Imbaba are scheduled to stand trial on July 3^rd.

The government has revealed a draft of the “Houses of Worship” bill. Under the new law, the decision on the construction of new churches and mosques will be determined by governors in a 3month application process that requires justification for rejection. For years, Copts have said the restrictions imposed on church construction are discriminatory, demanding that their houses of worship are subject to the same regulations as mosques. The new law is expected to serve this purpose and end decades of sectarian contention over houses of worship.

The new law also bans the construction of houses of worship inside residential blocs, in historical sites and on agricultural land. Any violation of the law is expected to be met with a prison sentence of two to five years and a fine ranging from LE1000 to LE3000. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) is expected to pass a decree for the new law within days, according to the same report.

Mos'ad is preparing to submit a report to the Israeli government that would add the Brotherhood party to a list of institutions that support terrorism, reports state-run daily Rose al-Youssef.

The Mos'ad report, which the Israeli government will discuss before submitting it to the US Congress, says Hamas is an extension of the Brotherhood in Egypt. It also alleges that Sheikh Mohamed al-Qardawy, who is described in the report as the “Godfather of the Brotherhood,” funds Hamas and supports terrorism because he issued a fatwa calling for jihad against Israel.