Official spokesman for the Azhar Muhammad Rafā‘ah al-Tahtāwī said that the Grand Shaykh is happy with the Pope and Bishop Bīshūy’s apologies and that he hopes they can all work toward national unity and not let the recent events affect their relationship. Secular Coptic leader Kamāl Zākhir said that an apology from the Pope is not enough to solve the problem of sectarian tension. He proposed that attacking other people’s religious beliefs be criminalized.

Key Words: Azhar – Pope Shenouda III – Bishop Bīshūy – Dr. Ahmad al-Tayyib – Muhammad Rafā‘ah al-Tahtāwī – Kamāl Zākhir – Kāmīliyā Shihātah