Both state-owned and independent newspapers led with news of the safe return of the wife of a Minya priest.
Al-Ahram reports, on page two, that Kamilia Shahata Zakher, the wife of Bishop Tedaous Samaan Rezq of the Mar Gerges Church, was not kidnapped and did not face attempts to convert her to Islam. It is reported that she left her home voluntarily and went to stay with one of her friends following problems with her husband. However, there were no details on how security forces were able to find her and solve the sectarian crisis, which was about to take place.
Al-Dostor, an independent newspaper, reports on the same case with Ibrahim Isaa’s article “Priest’s wife returned, but won’t be the last Christian wife to disappear.” He doubts the credibility of the explanation given for Zakher’s disappearance, and wonders how she could not have heard about the demonstrations staged following her disappearance, and why her friend failed to call the church to ease the tension.
Al-Ahram hints at an interview with the speaker of People’s Assembly Ahmed Fathi Sarour, in which he criticizes demonstrators and protesters as “who have no vision of reform.” In addition, he warns against staging demonstrations in front of courts, which is condemned by the government, and which he describes as chaos.
Al-Shorouq allocates an entire page to Farouq Gouida’s opinion piece, “Egypt is between the Poor’s crimes and the Rich’s influence.” Gouida states that both the poor and the rich contribute to the lack of progress in the country. It is reported that the crime rate has risen over the last couple of years. According to Gouida, unemployment, drugs, and managerial corruption are the main reasons behind the spread of crime in Egypt. Gouida further attributes this to an absence of justice, explaining that when a citizen is deprived of his basic rights, he seeks to achieve them using force.
In other leading news, Al-Akhbar reports that the Ministry of Social Solidarity is preparing for Ramadan by providing subsidized flour, meat, chicken, and gas cylinders to citizens at low prices. Aly Meseilhy, Minister of Social Solidarity, announced that monitoring the prices and distribution of basic subsidized commodities is part of the government’s campaign to control markets during Ramadan. He states that there are reserves of supply commodities to satisfy the needs of Egyptians for the next three to five months.
Al-Ahram does not add anything substantial to this news, but reports that the Minister of Trade and Industries, Rachid Mohamed Rachid, announced that reductions will start on 2 August in order to promote trade within the start of academic year and Eid el-Fitr.
Al-Ahram: Daily, state-run, largest distribution in Egypt
Al-Akhbar: Daily, state-run, second to Al-Ahram in institutional size
Al-Gomhorriya: Daily, state-run
Rose el-Youssef: Daily, state-run, close to the National Democratic Party’s Policies Secretariat
Al-Dostour: Daily, privately owned
Al-Shorouq: Daily, privately owned
Al-Wafd: Daily, published by the liberal Wafd Party
Al-Arabi: Weekly, published by the Arab Nasserist party
Youm7: Weekly, privately owned
Sawt el-Umma: Weekly, privately owned
