During his recent meetings with Egyptian intellectuals and artists, President Mubārak discussed the importance of national unity and called it the “issue of the hour”. Mubārak pointed out that more churches have been built during his presidency than that of any other Egyptian ruler since King Fouad. The President claimed that all Egyptians are equal, regardless of sex or faith. These words would be of greater significance if they had been said in an official meeting with Shaykh Ahmad Al-Tayyib and Pope Shenouda III.

Key Words: Yūsef Al-Qa^cid – Shaykh Ahmad Al-Tayyib – Pope Shenouda III