As Pope Tawadros II was enthroned Sunday some columnists offered him advice for his coming mission. The Israeli aggression on Gaza is still gripping the hearts and minds of other writers, who scrutinise Morsy’s reactions towards the attacks and compare it to Mubarak’s.
There is a difference… but
Amr Al-Shobaki
Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper
There is a big difference between President Mohamed Morsy’s situation towards the recent attacks on Gaza and that of the ousted Mubarak. Al-Shobaki praises Morsy’s stance against the Israeli aggression, but asks whether this position will be successful within the international and regional framework.
One of the main differences between what Egyptians used to feel during Mubarak’s era and what they feel under Morsy is that we now feel less helpless. The move to send Prime Minister Hesham Qandil and a large delegation to the Gaza Strip could never been imagined during Mubarak’s rule, when officials used to visit Israel only.
The writer explains that Egypt’s reaction to the Gaza attacks does not imply that we will soon be at war. It rather highlights the achievements of a “peaceful era” that should materialise in an atmosphere of economic and political development. Egypt should not interfere in any military confrontations with Israel unless in self-defence.
Al-Shobaki commends all political and legal support to Gaza, but affirms that Egypt should intervene to fight back Israeli attacks only according to its economic and political strength in the region. Despite all Egypt’s flaws, the columnist does not sense the same inhumane feeling that used to exist under Mubarak.
The 118th papal enthronement
Helmy Al-Gazzar
Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper
On the occasion of the enthronement of Pope Tawadros II, the Muslim Brotherhood leader Helmy Al-Gazzar dedicates his piece to congratulating Copts on their new pope and offering some advice to the newly enthroned head of the Church. Almost all Egyptians are waiting to see how the pope will manage the internal and external affairs of St. Mark’s Cathedral.
The writer is optimistic that Tawadros, a student of Bishop Pachomious, will deal wisely in such a sensitive period in Egypt. In Al-Gazzar’s opinion, the new pope needs to encourage more active political participation for Egyptian Copts.
He needs them to seek legal action when they are faced with serious issues, Al-Gazzar writes. In this context, he calls upon state institutions to finalise regulations that deal with building and maintaining churches.
Al-Azhar will play a significant role in supporting the church in the coming phase, states Al-Gazzar. He elaborates that Al-Azhar and the church should work hand-in-hand to raise public awareness of genuine national solidarity. The writer sees it is also the role of Islamist movements, which call for justice and tolerance, to deal peacefully with the Coptic community.
