Dr. Andrea Zakī, the deputy head of the Coptic Evangelical Church, said that the Egyptian society is not yet ready to accept the candidacy of a Copt or a woman for presidency, although it is a good thing from a theoretical perspective.

"The church does not pay attention to some mysterious statements made by hard-line Islamists, particularly the Salafists," said Zakī during a 7th dialogue meeting over a religious coexistence document, held at the Evangelical Church in Alexandria on Wednesday (January 11).

Asked on statements by some Islamists regarding the jizyah and that Christians should either pay it or depart from Egypt, he replied that Copts are full-fledged citizens in accordance with the constitution and law. "We will never leave this country because simply we are partners in its past, present and future. No one can force us to leave or render us second-class citizens." [Rajab Ramadān, al-Misrī al-Yawm, Jan. 15, p. 4]