The Coptic Angle

Egyptian State TV has aired Pope Shenouda III still calling for an end to protests:

"The Egyptian Radio and Television website posted an interview produced by the Nile News channel with Shenouda in which, in an implicit expression of support for the regime, he called on protesters 'to end protests and listen to the voice of the mind regarding developments on the current situation and what has been broadcast on media channels concerning dialogue as a way to reach the desired solutions...'

"Shenouda emphasized the necessity of returning to a stable security situation and warned that the popular committees lacks the proper means of ensuring security.

"The pope also highlighted some incidents that resulted during the protests, referring to dialogue among all political groups. He also spoke about the importance of the Muslim Brotherhood joining in such dialogue, as well as the Committee of the Wise."

Assuming this interview is current, it shows Shenouda continuing to follow the regime line, which itself has advanced to including the Muslim Brotherhood in national dialogue. Meanwhile, protests tomorrow may be called "Day of the Martyrs" and feature a Coptic mass on Midan Tahrir. Martyrs are a critical part of the Coptic heritage, which follows a calendar measuring "years of the martyrs" from the reign of Diocletian.

(Crossposted to American Footprints)