A source close to Pope Shenouda III said that the Church’s support for a number of National Democratic Party candidates is only because of the personal relationship between those candidates and the Pope and that it should not be considered interference in the parliamentary elections. He added that the Church has only announced its support of ‘Abd al-Salām al-Mahjūb and Dr. Mufīd Shihāb. Egyptian Secular Copts leader Kamāl Zākhir called on the Church to stay out of politics for the sake of a civil state. Protestant Church Press Committee Head Rev. Ikrām Lam‘ī said that the Church’s doors will always be open for regular people, as well as politicians, and that the ruling party’s demands are not to be denied.

Key Words: Pope Shenouda III - ‘Abd al-Salām al-Mahjūb - Dr. Mufīd Shihāb - Kamāl Zākhir - Rev. Ikrām Lam‘ī