An Egyptian government committee on Wednesday recommended the dismissal of Aswan Governor Major General Mostafa al-Sayed for his failure in dealing with the recent problems occurring in the governorate.
According to a report by the cabinet’s National Justice Committee, which was formed in May to follow up the sectarian crisis, Sayed showed “incompetence in dealing with the Nubian people’s crisis and the Almarenab Church problem”.
In their report to the cabinet, the committee demanded permits for all churches that were unable to obtain permits under the former regime.
Committee member Amir Ramzy told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the Committee confirmed that the church in question had indeed received an official permit. He went on to stress the need to quickly bring the perpetrators to justice.
He added that the recommendations came after listening to the fact-finding committee that went to Aswan to determine the causes and consequences of the trouble in Almarenab.
Ramsey said that the Committee “found that Aswan Governor Major General Mustafa al-Sayed incorrectly dealt with the crisis, as well made remarks that provoked the Copts”.
Committee member George Ishaq said the report stated that permits “are for all churches and places of worship”. He added that this comes “in light of the Islamic heritage in dealing with houses of worship”.
Meanwhile, Minister of Local Development Mohamed Attia said he filed the report to Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, which included a number of steps to resolve the Almarenab crisis.
Attia told Al-Masry Al-Youm that he held a meeting with Sharaf on Wednesday to discuss the crisis, noting that public prosecutors are currently conducting extensive investigations. “The results of the investigations will determine who is responsible for escalating the crisis, and legal action will be taken against him,” he said.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
