Persian Realm

Thousands mourn Egypt Coptic Pope Shenouda III

Thousands mourn Egypt Coptic Pope (bbc)

Tens of thousands of Egyptian Coptic Christians have held an overnight vigil in Cairo to mourn the death of their spiritual leader, Pope Shenouda III.

Many wept as they prayed for the pope outside the city's main cathedral.

The vigil was followed by a Sunday morning Mass, with the dead pope's body sat in the papal chair dressed in ceremonial robes.

He died at the age of 88 on Saturday, after reportedly suffering from cancer. He led the Church for four decades.

Coptic Christians make up 10% of Egypt's population of 80 million, making them the Middle East's largest Christian minority.

After attacks on Coptic Christians in recent years, Pope Shenouda had urged officials to do more to address the community's concerns.

DK Jaan

I think Amr Diab should run for the Office instead of Amr Musa.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hOMAUH4fvc

Veteran Egyptian diplomat Amr Musa seeks the top job

Would-be president (bbc)

Amr Moussa, a former Egyptian foreign minister, was head of the Arab League until he stepped down in mid-2011 to run as a presidential candidate.

He told the BBC that Egypt had been "left in total disarray" and his goal was to rebuild the country on the principles of "democracy, reform and development". He says strong economic policies are needed that "deal with the poor before the rich".

Mr Moussa enjoys considerable popularity among Egyptians and is widely seen as a front-runner for the job.

Egyptian actor Adel Imam is sentenced to jail over Islam insult

Egypt's leading comic actor Adel Imam has received a three-month jail sentence for insulting Islam in films and plays, court documents have shown.

He was accused of frequently mocking authorities and politicians in his films, and of offending Islam and its symbols, including beards.

The case against him was brought by Asran Mansour, who is a lawyer with ties to Islamist groups.

Egypt: 'Up to 40' killed in Egypt football violence

Up to 40 people have been killed in fan clashes following a football match in the Egyptian city of Port Said, state television reports.

The deaths occurred after supporters invaded the pitch following a match between top-tier clubs Masry and Ahly on Wednesday.

It is feared the death toll could rise as scores have been injured.

Some of the dead in Wednesday's clashes were security officers, the Associated press quoted a morgue official saying.

The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says it appears fans had taken knives into the stadium.

Egypt football clashes 'kill 40' (bbc)

Rural Egypt key to political future

Rural Egypt key to political future (bbc)

Rupert Wingfield-Hayes

BBC News, Luxor 

A year ago an uprising began in Cairo that led to the overthrow of Egypt's long time dictator Hosni Mubarak.

It was an uprising led by young, urban, educated Egyptians, angry at corruption and unemployment, and inspired by the revolution in Tunisia.

A year on, Egypt has a new democratically elected parliament. But the revolutionaries of Tahrir Square are barely represented.

Instead, the new parliament is dominated by Islamists.

The biggest surprise has been the success of the Nour party, almost unheard of a year ago, but now with a quarter of the seats.

Nour is the party of the Salafists, hardline Islamists who call for a return to the political and moral practices of the first Muslims, in particular the "righteous ancestors" known as "al-Salaf al-Salih" in Arabic. 

Egypt 'to end' state of emergency

Egypt 'to end' state of emergency (bbc)

Egypt's generals say the state of emergency will be lifted partially on Wednesday, the first anniversary of the uprising against Hosni Mubarak

ONE IMAGE: Egypt's new parliament, explained in a snapshot

One image (bbc)

The first meeting of the People's Assembly, Egypt's lower chamber of parliament, since elections in which Islamist parties won most of the seats, was held on Monday. Click the labels to find out more about the parliament. 

Egypt's Islamists win elections

Egypt's Islamists win elections (bbc)

The final results in Egypt's first post-Mubarak parliamentary elections confirm an overwhelming victory for Islamist parties.

ElBaradei ends Egyptian presidential run

ElBaradei ends Egyptian presidential run (cnn)

Cairo (CNN) -- Egyptian reform leader Mohamed ElBaradei on Saturday ended his bid for president after criticizing the interim military government for its failure to bring about "a real democratic system."

The Nobel laureate and former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency accused the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces of mismanaging the interim period that followed the January 25th revolution that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak.

The 69-year-old says he will continue to work with the youth to help fulfill the nation's hope of freedom, human dignity and social justice. 

HERITAGE LOST: 50,000 Rare manuscripts burned in Egypt clash

Institute d'Egypte, a research center set up by Napoleon Bonaparte during France's invasion in the late 18th century, caught fire during clashes between protesters and Egypt's military over the weekend. It was home to a treasure trove of writings, most notably the handwritten 24-volume Description de l'Egypte, compiled during the 1798-1801 French occupation.

The Description of Egypt, which French scientists began writing in 1798, is likely burned beyond repair. Its home, the two-story historic institute near Tahrir Square, is now in danger of collapsing after the roof caved in.

Egypt Islamists widen poll lead

Egypt announces 62% poll turnout

Egypt announces 62% poll turnout (bbc)

Election officials in Egypt say 62% of eligible voters turned out to vote in the initial stage of the country's elections earlier this week.

They announced the first results of the country's complex parliamentary poll, which takes place in three stages and over three months.

But the overall picture is unclear with most candidates facing a run-off. Only four independents won seats outright.

Islamists are expected to dominate this first democratic poll in 60 years.

The Muslim Brotherhood is expected to lead the field, but a more radical group may also do well. 

Analysis: Egypt elections pose daunting challenge

Analysis: Challenging elections (bbc) By Said Shehata

Egypt's elections

• Peoples Assembly (lower house) election 28 Nov - 10 Jan; 498 seats
• Shura Council (upper house) election 29 Jan - 11 March; 180 seats
• Egyptians abroad will vote for the first time
• More than 40 political parties and more than 10,000 candidates
• Cairo has the highest number of candidates and South Sinai is the lowest

Egypt: Voters face baffling array of candidates

Voters face baffling array of candidates (bbc)

As Egyptians head to the polls to elect a new parliament, the BBC's Yolande Knell has been to meet voters in an eastern suburb of Cairo.

Egypt votes in post-Mubarak polls

Egypt votes in post-Mubarak polls (bbc)

Egyptians are voting in the opening stage of the first elections since former President Hosni Mubarak was toppled in February

King tut or tush?

I want to verify the historical accuracy of this claim!

Good One Faramarz Jaan ;0))

Love Steve Martin ;0)

King Tut!

Thanks DK Jaan!

No Egyptian revolution is complete without the one and only, his Majesty, The Great King Tut!