"As reconciliatory efforts to contain the al-‘Umrāniyyah  crisis proceed at various legal, political, and church levels...a few days ago a sign was hung up on a building under construction only a few meters away from the al-‘Umrāniyyah building, the scene of the clash over it being changed into a church," Zākhir writes.

"The sign announced the inauguration of a mosque on the first and second floors of the building," says Zākhir, "and last Friday prayers were held there."

Zākhir adds that the society responsible for the building was reportedly created within a few days for that specific purpose.

"No one objects, but we have to pause before the consequences that stem from this step, as now the procedures necessary for the approval of the other building as a church is lacking an essential item," referring to the decision by ‘Īzabi Pasha in 1934 which dictates how near a church be in proximity to a mosque.

"The simplest legal principles stipulate that a piece of legislation can be cancelled by further legislation. Therefore, the undersecretary's [Īzabi's] decision referred to could be cancelled by a similar decision by the minister of the interior, the prime minister, or a law passed by the People's Assembly. All enlightened writers and civil society bodies have called for the passage of a law regulating the building of places of worship. I believe this to be one of the most important draft laws that should come high on the People's Assembly's agenda."