In an interview with al-Misrī al-Yawm, Bishop Būlā of Tantā, affirmed the Church’s position that as a religious body it should not interfere in politics by supporting one party over another; however, he also spoke out against boycotting the upcoming election. The Bishop also noted that, while the Copts had their own set of doubts about their future under an Islamic system of government, most of their (the Copts) fears were the same as the Muslims: the security situation in the country and the weakness of the national economy and currency. When questioned about the controversy over the dates set for the possible parliamentary elections (the vote was scheduled to be held a Coptic religious holiday), he gave the government the benefit of the doubt, claiming that discussions held since then show good faith on the part of the government. The Bishop denied the accusations that the Sawirus family, a prominent Coptic family with extensive business interests in Egypt that is currently under investigation for tax evasion, was working with Mubarak’s regime. He asked why they were tainted by their business success under Mubarak when all they did was invest in the Egyptian economy as Egyptian citizens (Shīrīn Rabī’, al-Misrī al-Yawm, Mar. 19, p.9). Read original text in Arabic.