24 Dead in Cairo Clashes

Riots broke out in Cairo over the weekend as Coptic Orthodox protests over the plight of a church in the Upper Egyptian governorate of Aswan turned into clashes with Egyptian security forces. Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf is urging calm in the aftermath of the riots, in which twenty-four died. More here.

Egyptian PM Promises to Reopen 16 Churches

Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has committed to reopening 16 Coptic Orthodox churches that had previously been closed in response to ongoing protests outside the Egyptian state media headquarters in Cairo. More here.

Egyptian PM Visits Qena

Egyptian Premier Essam Sharaf is visiting Qena as part of his investigations into the widespread protests sparked by the appointment of Emad Mikhail, a Copt, as governor of the area. More here.

Old Cairo's 'Hanging' Church to be Reopened by PM on Pascha

It has been announced that this coming Pascha Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf will attend the reopening of Old Cairo's 'Hanging Church,' which has been undergoing restoration work. The Hanging Church (el-Muallaqa in Arabic) is one of the oldest churches in Cairo, having been built over the fortress walls of the Roman city of Babylon, and also served as the seat of the Coptic Orthodox popes. More here.

New Egyptian PM Meets with Copts

In an unprecedented event the new Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf met with representatives of Copts in Cairo protesting the burning of a church in Helwan and again committed his government to rebuilding the church. More here.