Foreign Policy

Gama'a al-Islamiyya (GI) is calling on the United States to release Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, this is unrealistic and is not going to happen.

In yet another example of the unrealistic ambitions of Egypt's new political class on the world stage, the Building and Development Party, the political wing of Gama'a al-Islamiyya (GI), is calling on the United States to remove the political party and its parent organization from the U.S. State Department's list of foreign terrorist organizations.

The Washington Post

Fifteen years ago, on May 14, 1998, U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of a landmark effort to promote a pivotal human right abroad.  In October of that year, the Senate also acted and President Clinton signed the International Religious Freedom Act, or IRFA, into law. 

Washington Post

LUXOR, Egypt — An Egyptian Christian teacher detained over charges of insulting Islam has been released on bail on Tuesday, her lawyer said.

MidEast Christian News ‘MCN’

Pope Francis sees Pope Tawadros off to his car in unprecedented act by a Catholic pope.

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for
Promoting Christian Unity

Rome, 13 May /MCN/ - by Dr. William Wessa: In an exclusive statement to MCN, Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, said His Holiness Pope Francis I has accepted the invitation made by His Holiness Pope Tawadros II to visit Egypt.

The Atlantic

Institutions are gradually shifting in favor of Islamists in many Arab Spring countries.

A supporter of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and a member of the
Muslim Brotherhood holds up a Koran during Friday prayers at a rally in Cairo.

Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil announced a cabinet reshuffle recently that included a number of new ministers from the ranks of the Muslim Brotherhood's leadership.

The Washington Post

The United States is repeating past mistakes in Egypt by appearing to tolerate Mr. Morsi’s consolidation of power.

AHMED MAHER, one of the leaders of Egypt’s 2011 revolution, supported Islamist Mohamed Morsi in last year’s presidential election because he believed Mr. Morsi’s victory over a military-backed candidate would be more likely to consolidate democracy in their country.

It can be said that the recent visit of Pope Tawadros 2nd to the Vatican is a follow-up for Pope Shenouda’s visit to the Vatican 40 years ago which, it may be argued, opened the door to more understanding between these factions.

The Blaze

Pope Canonizes Hundreds of 15th-Century Martyrs