As soon as the Coptic Orthodox Church announced its decision to go on with celebrations for Pope Shenouda III’s “39 Years as Pope” celebrations at Wādī al-Natrūn, al-Qā‘idah announced the expiration of the ultimatum the group had given the church to release the allegedly detained converts held in monasteries. Meanwhile, two separate demonstrations are being planned to take place next Friday: one in solidarity with the church and the other demanding the release of converts to Islam.

Key Words: Pope Shenouda III – Al-Qā‘idah – Ayman al-Zawāhirī – Usāmah Bin Lādin – ‘Abd al-Rahīm ‘Alī – Shaykh Hāfiz Salāmah – Kāmīliyā Shihātah – Wafā’ Constantine