Muslims, Copts and the media
By Vivian Fouad
Back in 1972, a parliamentary fact-finding committee investigated the sectarian clashes in Al-Khanka section of Cairo. The committee released a report saying, among other things, that domestic media and church and mosque sermons fuelled sectarian tensions. The report's findings are still valid. Let's review quickly what the media told the nation about Muslims and Copts in 1972 and what it is telling us now.
In 1972, the media declared that Copts wanted to control the wealth of the country. In 2007, the media reported Minister Aisha Abdel-Rahman as saying that 30 per cent of Egypt's national wealth is in Coptic hands. In 1972, the media reported that Christian religious discourse was insulting to Islam and its tenets. In 2007, the media claimed that Christian satellite channels and websites were disrespectful of Islam and its tenets.
Likewise, in the early 1970s, the media reported that Copts were against the constitutional provision that made Sharia law the main source of legislation. Recently, the media reported that Copts wanted to scrap the Sharia provision from the constitution. In 1972, the media reported that Muslims had a plan to convert Coptic girls to Islam. In 2007, the media reported protests against the conversion of some Coptic girls to Islam. In 1972, the media reported claims that the implementation of Sharia would destroy the Coptic presence in Egypt. In 2007, the media argued that the omission of Sharia from the constitution would give Copts a greater chance to participate in public life.
The main difference between 1972 and 2007 is not in the content of the given message but in the fact that the media has immensely grown. While we don't want to conceal the Muslim- Coptic issue, we cannot have shock tactics dominating the discussion. We need a middle ground of understanding. We need a common culture that respects both Muslims and Christians. And above all, we need a media that analyses rather than sensationalises.
This week's Soapbox speaker is director of the Coptic Centre of Social Studies.
Al-Ahram Weekly Online : Located at: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2007/849/op7.htm