Continued reports on targeting Copts in Sinai, the expulsion of Sadat
The international press is still reporting extensively on the targeting by Daesh terrorists of Copts in Northern Sinai, with Heba Saleh writing in the Financial Times that Daesh’s affiliates are driving them away from Arish. Extremism researcher Mokhtar Awad tells her it was a matter of time before the terrorists focused on targeting Egypt’s minorities systematically, but “the tactic itself is a sign of weakness strategically as the group’s efforts to cause significant havoc in Egypt have thus far been checked.” The issue is understandably being followed extensively by Christian media, with the Christian Post suggesting the issue will be discussed between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Trump when the El Sisi visits Washington. Bishop Angaelos, General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK released a statement yesterday condemning both the attacks and what he feels is the world’s silence on the plight of Christians in North Sinai. “These horrific attacks have gone largely unnoticed by the international community, but Copts continue to suffer tragic violations daily,” read the statement.
Al Azhar is currently holding an interfaith dialogue in Cairo which includes top Muslim and Christian clerics from the Middle East. The conference is being picked up by a number of regional outlets including Khaleej Times, The National, and the Indian Express.