Gaza on verge of famine as war escalates, ceasefire talks stall    Gaza crisis, trade on agenda as Trump hosts Starmer in Scotland    Obama calls for aid access to Gaza, says 'no justification' for withholding food    Egyptian president follows up on initiatives to counter extremist thought    Egypt's SCZONE eyes deeper investment, port digitalisation ties with Singapore    Egypt's gold prices slip slightly on July 28th    Egypt's Housing Min. reviews HDP marketing plan    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egypt, South Africa pledge to deepen development cooperation at G20 meeting    Egypt's PM orders road maintenance review, tougher penalties to curb accidents    Egypt, Novartis explore expanding collaboration in oncology, cardiology    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Midar partners with Adeer to develop Boulevard project in Mostakbal City with EGP 70bn investment    Association of Real Estate Developers seeks urgent meeting over threatened land deallocation on Northwest Coast    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Church suspends priest, hotel files defamation complaint
Published in Daily News Egypt on 14 - 08 - 2011

CAIRO: Senior Coptic Bishop Basanti has suspended a priest following an incident where the latter took off his robes after allegedly being asked to do so by the security staff of a Cairo hotel.
The incident, caught on closed circuit TV cameras, showed Father Boulos Ewida of the Virgin Mary Church in Zahraa swiftly remove his robes and remain in his underclothes for several minutes at the entrance of the Grand Nile Tower hotel.
According to media reports, the hotel had summarily denied Father Ewida's allegations, saying that a thorough investigation of the incident has revealed that Father Ewida was never requested at any point to remove his clothes.
The hotel has also filed a complaint with the Prosecutor General against Ewida accusing him of defamation.
The unusual incident has enraged tens of Copts, who silently protested Thursday holding candles in front of the hotel.
The Maspero Coptic Youth Union had called for the protest, where some of the participants criticized Ewida's acceptance to be treated this way, describing it as an insult to all religious figures, both Muslim and Copt.
Protesters held up candles and banners showing their anger at the hotel saying "No to the insult of religious figures," and "We want an official apology from the hotel's administration."
The protest was surrounded by a limited number of police who stood near the protesters.
Coordinator of Maspero Coptic Youth Union Ramy Kamel told Daily News Egypt that his movement decided to make it a silent protest without loud chants in respect for the feelings of fasting Muslims in Ramadan.
Ewida told DNE in a previous interview that while entering the hotel to attend a “national unity” iftar, he was asked to take off his robes because the metal detector alarm went off.
"I took out the mobile, the keys and other private belongings, but the alarm did not stop, so I was requested to take off my robes and I did not want to escalate the situation," Ewida said. "It was very insulting."
Ina a statement on Friday, Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharaf apologized to Ewida and promised a full-fledged investigation by the Ministry of Tourism.


Clic here to read the story from its source.