In the opening ceremony of al-Shazli mosque in the village of Shinawiya in Beni
Sweif, 100km south of Cairo, a group of Coptic Orthodox clergy invited to attend
the opening surprised the Muslim clergy by offering the new mosque a gift of 40
copies of the Qur’an. Minister of Awqaf (Religious Endowments) Sheikh Dr Ali
Gomaa who presided over the ceremony thanked them all for the gift, as did Beni
Sweif Governor Sherif Habib who was also present. The Coptic clergy were Fr
Basillious Anba Pola who represented Anba Pola (St Paul) Monastery in the
Eastern Desert; Fr Fam al-Antony from Anba Antonius (St Anthony) Monastery;
Fr Yu’annis Messiha and Fr Eleisha Fathy of St George church in Boush; and Fr
Seraphim Melek of St Mark’s church in Boush.
Watani International
11 February 2017