The dispute over Beni Suef's al-Fashn Church came to an end after a technical committee tasked with reviewing the issue approved construction of a dome that had not been included in the original blueprints for the church.
The Al-Fashn Archbishopric welcomed the decision, describing it as “wise." Archbishop Abdel Quddus said the decision reflected the prevailing "state of peace and love" between Beni Suef's Muslim and Christian communities.
Beni Suef Governor Samir Seif al-Yazal told Al-Masry Al-Youm that he had instructed the mayor of al-Fashn to annul any penalties imposed on the church and replace the contracting company that had built the unapproved structure.
Al-Yazal also said that President Hosni Mubarak had approved the erection of the church on 550 square meters of land, stressing that the diocese had completed all licensing and construction procedures for the church.
According to al-Fashn Municipal Council President Ahmed Eita, no demolition order was issued for what had already been built.
Eita also said that the contracting company in question had only erected the dome's wooden frame, and had therefore been asked to suspend further construction until the new design was approved by the competent authorities in Cairo.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
