As al-Majlis al-Mīllī [Coptic Orthodox Denominational Council] elections draw near, some Coptic figures, intellectuals and clergymen have criticized the church for interfering in the elections. Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria has been accused of favoring a circle of Copts close to him. Intellectuals like Jamāl As‘ad ‘Abd al-Malāk and Kamāl Zākhir Mousa have urged an end to this list, while judge Najīb Jibrā’īl demanded that the elections be held away from the church with no priests allowed to attend.