Wafā‘ says that the unusually large number of Coptic candidates participating in this year’s parliamentary election has sparked rumours of a secret agreement between the National Democratic Party and the Coptic Orthodox Church to alienate the Muslim Brotherhood. However, official spokesperson of the Mallawī Bishopric, Father Bula Anwar, said that the Church does not interfere with the elections.

Key Words: Minya - Muslim Brotherhood – Maghāghah Bishopric - Mallawī Bishopric – Pope Shenouda III