Both Saudi Arabia and Egypt have called on militant organization Hamas to end the annual weekly protests it is holding for the “Great March of Return,” according to an Egyptian source. An Egyptian Foreign Ministry official was anonymously quoted as saying that, in exchange for halting the protests, Egypt would ensure that the Rafah border crossing, which Egypt controls, would be regularly opened. The source said that the agreement had come under the direction of the Saudis.“The situation in the Gaza Strip is nearing an explosion towards anyone blockading it,” the source said, “and therefore there is a fear that Palestinian anger will turn towards Egypt in the coming weeks.” The source also added that Saudi and Egyptian officials had opened contacts with Hamas leaders to urge calm in Gaza. Read the full story here. … [Read more...] about Report: Egypt, Saudi Arabia Urge Hamas to End Gaza Border Riots
Egypt
Italy sends envoy back to Egypt after student killing
Activists of human rights organization Amnesty International hold a picture of Giulio Regeni and candles as they take part in a demonstration in front of Montecitorio, the Italian Parliament, in Rome Italy announced Monday that it is sending an ambassador back to Cairo, 15 months after withdrawing the previous one to protest the slow pace of a probe into an Italian student's grisly murder. The family of Giulio Regeni, who disappeared in Cairo in January 2016 and was found dead 10 days later having been brutally tortured and mutilated, immediately voiced its anger at the Italian government's decision. But Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano suggested there were more prospects now for the truth to be revealed. "In the light of developments made in cooperation between Italian and Egyptian investigators... the government has decided to send ambassador Giampaolo Cantini to the Egyptian capital," he said in a statement. "The Italian government remains … [Read more...] about Italy sends envoy back to Egypt after student killing
Egypt’s president wins second term in election with no serious opponent
News / World by Press Association 02/04/2018, 7:12 pm FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail Send us a story Sign up to our Daily newsletter Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has won a second, four-year term in office, with more than 97% of the vote in last week’s election, according to official results announced on Monday by the election commission, which put turnout at 41.05%. Mr El-Sissi faced no serious challenger in the March 26-28 vote, after a string of potentially strong candidates withdrew under pressure or were arrested. His sole opponent, little-known politician Moussa Mustafa Moussa, was a supporter of the president who made no effort to challenge him. Mr Moussa, won less than 3% of the vote, and far less than the 1.76 million invalid ballots cast. In a televised address, Mr el-Sissi thanked voters and promised to work for all Egyptians, saying “those who renewed their trust in me and gave me their votes are no different from those who did … [Read more...] about Egypt’s president wins second term in election with no serious opponent
indonesia wins second prize at international qur`an recital in egypt
Takengon, Aceh (ANTARA News) - Lauhin Mahfudz and Ahmad Farhan Tsani of Indonesia finished second behind the Philippines in the international Qur`an recitation competition held in Cairo, Egypt. A statement from Mahfudz received by ANTARA here on Thursday noted that the final Qur`an recital took place on April 4, 2018. Only two countries were found worthy of winning the first and second place in the Qur`an recitation competition. The Indonesian participants managed to enter the final round along with other competitors from three countries: Malaysia, the Philippines, and Nigeria. Some 20 countries participated in the Sharhil Qur`an category. Sharhil Qur`an is a technique of reading the Qur`an by revealing the content, translations, and descriptions in harmonious unity. Mahfudz and Tsani are alumni of the Raudhatul Hasanah Islamic boarding school in Medan, North Sumatra. Mahfudz hails from Takengon, Central Aceh District, while Tsani is from Medan, North Sumatra. Both are currently … [Read more...] about indonesia wins second prize at international qur`an recital in egypt
Word leaders congratulate Egypt’s President on re-election
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi (Source: Reuters)The White House said in a statement that President Donald Trump congratulated the Egyptian president and “the two leaders affirmed the strategic partnership between the US and Egypt.” During their telephone conversation, Russian Vladimir Putin "reaffirmed Russia’s intention to further develop mutually beneficial cooperation in many areas, including energy, industry and transport," the Kremlin said on its official website. The crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, called Mr. El-Sisi on April 2nd to congratulate him, highlighting "special ties" between the Governments and the people of the UAE and Egypt, El-Sisi's office said in a statement. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also congratulated on April 2nd President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on his re-election for a second term. Earlier, Mr. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi won his second term as Egypt’s President, winning roughly 90% … [Read more...] about Word leaders congratulate Egypt’s President on re-election