In the early hours of 24 April, Anba Makarius, Bishop of Minya, posted on his X (previously Twitter) account that calm had been restored in the village of al-Fawakher in Minya some 250km south of Cairo, following police intervention to contain a ferocious assault against the Copts in the village.   “Security forces have arrived and taken control of the situation,” Anba Makarius posted. “They arrested the instigators and perpetrators, and are tallying the damage inflicted. State authorities will compensate those affected by the damage, and will hold the perpetrators accountable.” Late on ..read more

The eighth edition of Aswan International Women’s Film Festival (AIWFF) took off in Egypt’s southernmost city of Aswan and its gateway into Africa, some 800km south of Cairo, on 20 April 2024; it runs till 25 April. The festival is screening 76 films from all over the world, films that focus on women’s issues and rights. It features documentaries from the Awareness for Community Development programme and the Diarna exhibition, showcasing heritage products and crafts made by women. Tunisia has been announced as the country of honour of the AIWFF in recognition of the outstanding cinematic achie ..read more

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which represents the most senior authority of Jerusalem Churches, has issued a statement on the upcoming celebrations of Holy Week and the Saturday of Light, 4 May 2024. The statement reads: “‘Father, not my will, but yours, be done’ (Luke 22/42) “On the occasion of the approaching Passion Week which is considered the most sacred week in Christian life, we recall the anniversary of the events that led to the Crucifixion and glorious Resurrection of Christ. “The rituals of Holy Week and the Saturday of Light constitute an important moment that brin ..read more

The Coptic Church and community today lost Rasmy Abdel-Malek, renowned Coptic educator and author, aged 84. He leaves behind a rich legacy of scientific and educational contribution to Egypt and the Coptic Church. Professor Dr Abdel-Malek was member of the Coptic Orthodox papal committee for higher education, and was a former dean of the Coptic Studies Institute and the Coptic Institute of Care and Education. He was also dean of the educational planning department at the National Centre for Educational and Developmental Studies, and a former member of the national specialised councils. Over th ..read more

On 22 April 2024, Pope Tawadros II was granted an honorary doctorate degree by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) which is affiliated to the League of Arab States. The Pope was granted the degree for “his efforts in the service of humanity and upholding the values ​​of tolerance”, as announced by Ismail Abdel Ghaffar, President of the Academy. Service and tolerance Pope Tawadros was participating in the ‘Media and Information Literacy and Global Understanding: Peace for All’ conference, organised by the League of Arab States in cooperation with the UNESCO ..read more

The eighth edition of Aswan International Women’s Film Festival (AIWFF) took off in Egypt’s southernmost city of Aswan and its gateway into Africa, some 800km south of Cairo, on 20 April 2024; it runs till 25 April. The festival is screening 76 films from all over the world, films that focus on women’s issues and rights. It features documentaries from the Awareness for Community Development programme and the Diarna exhibition, showcasing heritage products and crafts made by women. Tunisia has been announced as the country of honour of the AIWFF in recognition of the outstanding cinematic achie ..read more

Another official decision that imposes a minimum wage to be paid to workers in the private sector has been issued by the government. In January 2024, the National Wages Council (NWC) issued a decision requiring private sector businesses—regardless of their ability or profitability—to raise the minimum monthly wage from EGP3,000 to EGP3,500, and accordingly amend all other wages paid by the institution. On 8 April 2024, NWC issued decision no. 27 for year 2024 signed by Hala Elsaid, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, and head of NWC, raising the minimum monthly wage in the private s ..read more

In the wake of the stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, former member of the Ancient Assyrian Church of the East and current leader of the Sydney-area Christ the Good Shepherd Church, on the evening of 15 April 2024, the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Sydney issued a media release statement expressing its deep sadness and its condemnation of the attack. Coptic Church statement The statement, dated 16 April 2024, read: “The Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Sydney, led by His Holiness Pope Tawadros Il and His Grace Bishop Daniel, expresses deep sadness over the recent incident involving Bishop Mar Mari E ..read more

Coptic Mass was celebrated for the first time in Belgrade, Serbia, last week. Anba Giovanni, Coptic Orthodox Bishop of Central Europe, presided over the Mass which was hosted by the Serbian Orthodox Patriarchate. Attending the Coptic Mass in Belgrade was Patriarch Porfirije, Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, also scores of Coptic Egyptians living in Serbia. During his tour of the region, Anba Giovanni visited Slovakia where he celebrated Mass and ordained deacons. Watani International 15 April 2024 ..read more

Thirteen Egyptian universities have been listed in the 20th edition of the QS World University Rankings 2024. The universities are Cairo University, the American University in Cairo, Alexandria University, Ain Shams University, Mansoura University, Al-Azhar University, Assiut University, Helwan University, the Arab Academy for Sciences, the German University in Cairo, Zaqaziq University, Tanta University and Suez Canal University. Cairo University was listed among leading universities is six areas: Archaeology, Dentistry, Development Studies, Hospitality Management, Linguistics and Statistics ..read more