In her article Manāl ‘Abd al-‘Azīz claims that recent Muslim-Christian tension in Egypt is the result of deteriorating social, economic, and political conditions.

She wonders whether recent attacks on Copts really are the result of hidden religious hatreds or if they instead reflect a “deep sense of despair, anger, and injustice that has mistaken its target.”

She emphasizes the importance of equal rights of citizenship and discusses Grand Imām Ahmad al-Tayyib's suggestion of a Muslim-Coptic council for debating problems and formulating policy recommendations.

An interview with al-Tayyib follows, in which he outlines Islam's tolerant and peaceful views of Christianity and Judaism.