At the top of the agenda last night: The launch of Egypt’s National Strategy for Human Rights by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. In his speech, El Sisi spoke on human rights issues including divorce certification, womens’ rights and freedom of belief. El Hekaya (watch, runtime: 4:27) had the story, as did Kelma Akhira (watch, runtime: 4:51).

Time to remove religion from national IDs? Justice Minister Omar Marwan said that there must be some form of official documentation of citizens’ religion, after journalist Ibrahim Eissa called for religion to be removed from citizens’ ID cards during a roundtable discussion on the new human rights strategy. Marwan said that while it was not important that religious affiliation be recorded on ID cards, an official record of religion in the national system ensures that the government protects each person’s right to be governed by their own religion’s laws in matters of personal status. El Hekaya (watch, runtime: 6:36) and Kelma Akhira (watch, runtime: 3:30) both had coverage.

Egypt + Russian tourism officials meet: The impression was positive in a first meeting between Egyptian and Russian officials since the resumption of direct flights between Russia and Egypt’s Red Sea resorts last month, Tourism Minister Khaled El Enany told El Hekaya’s Amr Adib in a phone interview (watch, runtime: 3:22). He added that he had spoken with Russian tourism officials, business owners and the media, including on precautionary measures being taken in Egypt to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Also getting coverage last night:

• The 20th anniversary of 9/11 got some airtime on El Hekaya (watch, runtime: 7:33) and Ala Mas’ouleety (watch, runtime: 4:09).
• The death of 89-year-old Egyptian businessman Mahmoud El Araby on Thursday received coverage on Ala Mas’ouleety (watch, runtime: 4:16).