Boosting ties EGYPT's Foreign Ministry hosted a new round of talks with Greece and Cyprus in the framework of boosting cooperation between Egypt and European states. The two-day round of talks discussed bilateral relations in political, economic and cultural fields as well as technical matters and ways to boost relations in a way that meets the aspirations of the three countries, as Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Hatem Seif Al-Nasr stated on Monday. Top officials of the three states also discussed several related regional files. Seif Al-Nasr praised the Greek and Cypriot stand on the 30 June Revolution “as they were states that showed support for the revolution and the roadmap that will lead to building the basics of democracy in Egypt”. Seif Al-Nasr added that in the next round of talks officials from the three states will hold a meeting to find ways of cooperation in various joint projects including tourism. The foreign ministers held a trilateral meeting on the margins of the recent UN General Assembly Ministerial Week in New York. The meeting sent a message that the three states were determined to promote trilateral political cooperation and to function in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean, “as three countries interested in stability, peace and development”.
Jika movement ON 11 NOVEMBER, youth and revolutionary forces met at the Centre of Civil Education and Preparing Leaders to announce the founding of the New Jika Movement. Gaber Salah, better known as Jika, was shot dead in 2012 during the anniversary of the Mohamed Mahmoud riots and subsequent killings. The conference began by the playing of the national anthem. Attendees stood for one minute of silence. Jika's father, plus dentist Ahmed Harara who lost the sight of both eyes during the 2011 revolution, and political activist Mahmoud Afifi organised the conference which was attended by a number of politicians and youths.
Islamist schools SEVENTY-SIX Muslim Brotherhood schools will be subject to administrative and financial supervision by the Education Ministry. Minister of Education Mahmoud Abul-Nasr told the press these schools “are unlike other schools affiliated to the Education Ministry. They teach an extra subject called Behaviour where they study the instructions of the Muslim Brotherhood founders Hassan Al-Banna and Sayed Qutb. Other Islamist schools don't play the national anthem; instead they play another anthem called Jihadi Jihadi”. The minister said there was currently a book being written by educational experts to teach students proper principles of manners.” The book will be reviewed by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb and Pope Tawadros of the Coptic Church. Students will study this book during the second term of this academic year, Abul-Nasr said. “I have prohibited students and teachers from talking politics on school premises. No politics in schools, only learning and teaching,” added Abul-Nasr.
Activists freed DAMIETTA Prosecutor-General Mohamed Al-Zonfoli released two students affiliated to the activist 6 April movement. On 7 November, students Ayman Abdel-Hamid and Mahmoud Abdel-Rahman led a demonstration by 6 April in front of a police station in Faraskour district where they chanted slogans against police forces. Residents provoked by the slogans took Abdel-Hamid and Abdel-Rahman to the police station where they were detained. They were released although a 15-day detention order was issued.
