US report: Egyptian government, Azhar, Church contribute to religious freedom

The seventh annual report of the US State Department on religious freedoms in the world hailed the efforts exerted by Egypt's government and the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to ensure freedom of conscience and the exercise of rituals followers by all people.

The report said Egypt's government adopted a number of measures to protect religious freedom and tolerance.

The report said that al-Azhar held a number of inter-faith conferences inside and outside Egypt, adding that the Grand Sheikh Mohamad Sayyed Tantawi and Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark Diocese took part in the religious rallies.

The report noted that the Egyptian government announced in January 2004 the establishment of the National Council for Human Rights which includes five Copts out of its 25 members and the council asked the Ministry of the Interior to respond positively to a request for the restoration of churches.