The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) approved a few days ago the basic statute of the Azhar's Egyptian Family House, an initiative that is meant to nip in the bud any signs of Muslim-Christian schisms.

Dr. Mahmūd Hamdī Zaqzūq, the secretary general of the initiative, said the Family House is an independent body under Grand Shaykh of the Azhar Dr. Ahmad al-Tayīb and Coptic Orthodox Pope Shenouda III, and aims to preserve the Egyptian society's national fabric.

"The initiative's board of trustees would outline the general policy with regular meetings biennially. It can also convene extraordinary meetings upon calls by the chairman or a number of its members no less than one-quarter," he said.

Zaqzūq, a former minister of awqāf (endowments), added that the house would involve seven committees – education, family culture, religious discourse, media, public relations, youths for societal development and emergency& follow-up.

He noted that there will be a committee entrusted with monitoring any incidents that might violate national unity.