Correction 8 May 2016 Watani International 2 In Watani International's issue 8 May 2016 Chairman of the Board of 1 May, Page 1 included a story 30 Baramouda (Parmoute) 1732 and under the title 'Voice 1 Shaaban 1437 Editor-in-chief of the Voiceless'. The Issue 795 story missed the Youssef Sidhom name of the writer: Year 16 Lucy Awad. Watani apologises for the error Editorial Problems on hold Social media as a minefield Youssef Sidhom

I have repeatedly resisted the urge to challenge public opinion forming elements in Egypt, be they a wide wilful swath of the media or a by and large unruly social media. Both these sectors have been thriving on spewing unsubstantiated, unconfirmed material from dubious sources—that is if they bother to quote any source at all. I placed my bet on the educated people in our community, whom I thought would have the perception to critically assess whatever material is dispatched by the media or social media, and would not be easily led into believing what can amount to no more than rumour or questionable stuff. Today, I apologise to my readers: I lost my bet. It has become obvious that even the educated among us rush to swallow false information without bothering to check whether or not it is true or possibly credible. Even on the level of our paper, Watani, I painfully Moussa, Helene; Explore St Mark’s Coptic Museum, Ontario – Canada, An admit that many of our reporters have had the tendency Illustrated Introduction; St. Mark’s Coptic Museum, 2015 to follow leads or cues that had gone viral on social media but had no credible backing. We would direct these reporters to substantiate the leads first, upon which they would discover in nine cases out of ten that the information they had picked from the social media was totally untrue. If this is the case with journalists, who have at their fingertips all the means to check the validity of data, how can the general public that has no optic art lives on such means be blamed? We now live in an era of open skies where all and every information is just a click of a mouse or key away. The hazard lies with the receiver who would C Coptic Studies (ICS) in Cairo. The St Mark’s Museum icon collection includes post offices were established by Europeans living in Egypt under the name take in without question whatever comes up on screen. Perhaps the last thing one would expect to Reviewed by Sherine Nader until the Islamic era. The collection at St four icons by Isaac Fanous (1919 – 2007), the first chairman of the department ‘Poste Européenne’. The service was bought by Khedive Ismail in 1864 and But worse, that receiver would rush to share the find in Toronto, Canada, is a Coptic museum. Mark’s includes clay objects dating back of Coptic art at ICS, and pioneer of modern iconography. The icons were drawn became a government service in 1965. The first Egyptian stamps were issued in material with as many others as he or she can reach, A grand Coptic museum has existed in Cairo from the fourth to the 21st centuries. especially for the museum in 1964 and represent the four evangelists. Dr Fanous 1866, and depicted images of the pyramids and the sphinx; they soon evolved to probably proud to be the first to know the ‘news’. I since 1910, and Coptic art is displayed in many museums over the There are terracotta oil lamps from different regions in Egypt, used a neo-Coptic cubic style in which he blended contemporary iconography display images of rulers and commemorate political and social events. have become increasingly worried lately that those world, but a museum in Toronto dedicated to Coptic art might come but there is insufficient information to determine the date of each with tradition. The stamp collection at St Mark’s includes stamps from 1866 up to the present seen as well-educated and widely-cultured in our as a surprise discovery. one. Small flasks carried away as souvenirs by pilgrims to the The artists Youssef Nassif (1920 – 2013) and Bedour Latif (1921 – 2012) were day and marking important events in Egypt’s history. The collection includes community have taken to that practice, no surprise There is a story behind the St Mark’s Coptic Museum in Canada. shrine of St Menas (Mina) from the fifth to seventh centuries are a married couple who worked together on icons and signed them jointly. Their five of the stamps issued by the Egyptian government which have Christian then that others would willingly take what these post The idea came to life a few years ago at the hands of a group on display. It is interesting to note that such flasks have been found creations are typically Coptic and reveal obvious characteristics of Egyptian themes: the 1,400th anniversary of St Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai (1966); the or share as unquestionable fact. of visionary Diaspora Copts headed by Father Marcos the first in archaeological digs around the Mediterranean, indicating that folk art. The museum displays several of the icons they created such as The Matariya Tree (1967); The return of St Mark’s relics and the establishment of the Among the most recent posts that went viral on social Coptic priest commissioned to shepherd North America’s Coptic the cult of St Menas was widespread and that many pilgrims came Burial of Christ (1988) and St Thudros (St Theodore) (1987). Cathedral at Abbasiya (1968); the bicentennial commemoration of the Advent media was one that concerned the visit of US Secretary Orthodox congregation in 1964. Fr Marcos wished to establish a from all over the old world to visit his shrine in Mariut, west of Seham Guirguis was a disciple of Fanous, who moved to Canada in 2001. Her of the Holy Family into Egypt (2000); and the 2013 commemorative stamps of of State John Kerry to Cairo on 20 April. Mr Kerry Coptic museum that would depict the “colourful ‘tile’ of Coptic Alexandria. works at St Mark’s Museum include icons of saints not widely represented in H.H. Pope Shenouda III. was on his way to Riyadh to join President Obama art and culture in Canada’s multicultural mosaic”. For 25 years, Modern works include pottery and figurines from Garagos, a Coptic iconography such as St Helena, and St Joseph and the Christ Child. The collection includes the first stamp by a Coptic artist, Fadi Mikhail, issued the following day in an American Saudi Gulf summit he spearheaded work to collect Coptic artefacts from the four village in Upper Egypt renowned since ancient Egypt for its pottery Another renowned Coptic artist shown at the museum is Victor Fakhoury by the UK Royal Mail for their 2013 Christmas stamps and depicting an icon to discuss US Saudi relations and the hot issues in the corners of the world, and the museum project was launched on 27 creations and which continues in production until this day. On (born 1960), who mixes the traditional elements of Coptic iconography of the Theotokos. The highlight of the collection is the collectors’ stamp album region. The spokesman of the Egyptian presidency November 1996 by Pope Shenouda III and opened to the public on display is also a round plate made in 1968 by the peasant spontaneous with touches from ancient Egypt such as lotus flowers and papyrus boats to of the Treasures of Tutankhamun (38 gold foil engraved stamps) issued by the described the Cairo meeting as cordial, and said that 9 July 2000. Pope Tawadros II visited the museum on 4 September artists of the Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Centre in Harraniya, Giza, emphasise “the roots of Egyptian Christianity”. Fakhoury created six icons that British Museum in 1979. President Sisi had confirmed the strategic relations 2014 and, according to the museum’s volunteer curator Helene to commemorate the manifestation of the Holy Virgin on the domes depict the events of post-Arab Spring Egypt, a first in the history of Coptic between the two countries. He also said that Mr Kerry Moussa, “he wrote a lovely message in our guest book.” of her church in Zeitoun, Cairo; and sculptures by Isaac Guirguis, Explore St. Mark’s Coptic iconography. Among the collection of St Mark’s is his Martyrs of Maspero, Weaving for children had stressed the commitment of the US to support Egypt A recent publication by the museum, Barsoum including a fish sculpture and a clay vase. Museum, Ontario – Canada 2011, which represents the 28 peaceful Coptic protestors who lost their lives in The book takes a good look at Coptic tapestry. Textile art flourished in the in her battle against terrorism and in her security and , cites the aim of the museum as to The book shows part of the museum’s coin collection, helping October 2011. His latest icon, the Martyrs of Libya, 2015, depicts the 20 Coptic Coptic era. ‘Coptic textiles’ usually refer to fabrics from the Roman, Byzantine economic challenges, Egypt being a country that carried depict “the continuity of Coptic artistic expression throughout the visitors to trace much of the history of Egypt and the various and one Ghanaian Christians beheaded by Daesh Libya in February 2015, and is and early Islamic eras. They were made either at home or in workshops using a pivotal role in bringing peace and stability to the centuries and to the present day ... and to highlight the contributions dynasties and rulers that reigned over it and their ideologies and the museum’s most recent acquisition. linen and wool. The textiles were monochromatic at first and became more region. All this appeared to accord with the development that Coptic civilisation has brought to Egypt and her people cultures. The coin collection ranges from the Silver Tetradrachm of colourful in the sixth century with the use of dyes extracted from natural of Egypt US relations during the last six months which throughout the centuries and continues to bring until this very day.” Alexander the Great (336 – 323 BC), to a silver Gunayh (Egyptian Amulets and symbols sources. The regions of Nagada, Esna and Akhmim used to, and continue to be, saw repeated visits by American high-ranking officials Pound) from 1970 depicting the bust of President Gamal Abdel- The book gives an overview of Coptic jewellery and includes a collection most renowned for their hand-made textiles. and congressmen to Egypt. Gifts and loans Nasser. of Egyptian faïence from Amarna region where the Pharaoh Akhenaten In modern times, the art of tapestry was revived by Ramses Wissa Wassef The social media, however, propagated totally The book begins with an Illustrated Introduction by Ms Moussa established his monotheistic cult in the 14th century BC. The St Mark’s Museum (1911 – 1974) who studied architecture in France before returning to Cairo to different ‘unpublished news’ which I print here not with giving a glimpse of the museum and some of the artefacts in its Meaning of the cross 20th century collection replicates ancient Egyptian designs and themes using become professor of art and architecture and later director of the College of Fine the aim of spreading them but to show a shocking sample permanent collection, many of which were donated by individuals Crosses are a unique characteristic of Coptic art and Church a material frequently used in ancient Egypt. The museum also displays a Arts in Cairo. Convinced that children are creative by nature, he established of messing with Egyptian minds and public opinion. from personal and family collections, or which are on loan from architecture. In a Coptic church, crosses can be seen everywhere as collection of amulets with symbols from ancient Egypt; among them a scarab the Wissa Wassef Art Centre in 1954 where children were taught weaving I print it word for word, without trifling even with the other museums or private collections. “Every one of the items the core of the Christian faith; the cross is life-giving. Chapter 4 in Watani amulet inscribed with hieroglyphics and believed to possess protective power. techniques and then left to create their own tapestries by working the loom punctuation. I received it from a number of sources who exhibited”, Ms Moussa told , “is backed with legally signed the book is dedicated to explaining the design and symbolism of the There are also brooches from the Hellenistic period, Islamic-style necklaces and without any prior sketching. The centre gained international renown and four all enjoy a high level of education and culture. The item documents from the donors or loaners.” Coptic cross, the main feature of which is that is does not include items that run into the 18th century. generations of artists have now graduated from it. in question reads as follows: When the museum first opened, it had 110 objects on display but a crucifix, because the Crucifixion led to the Resurrection. Coptic Chapter 9 describes the modern paintings displayed in the The St Mark’s Museum collection includes textiles from the second “As received now the number has gone up to 1,200. The book only crosses fit into a circle, and are formed of two lines of museum. Among the most interesting is a 19th-century work to the eighth centuries. A tunic insert from the fourth or fifth century From knowledgeable sources highlights the main objects of art in the museum and is "Objects in equal length with three points at each end representing "Coptic art executed by Pope Makarius III when he was still a monk (1898 – features a grape and duck motif. A monochrome purple textile • Did you know, patriotic people of Egypt, why definitely not to be used as the museum catalogue. a museum the Trinity. Crosses are used for liturgical purposes has adapted, 1895). It consists of three crosses, one large and two smaller ones, fragment from the fifth or sixth century shows adult and child figures John Kerry was here in Egypt and why the press Ms Moussa gives a short history of the establishment and can be worn by clergymen or individuals. They are are tangible each consisting of a multiplicity of very small crosses drawn using adopted and during a celebration. A woven, purple octagonal fragment dating conference with him and president Sisi was of the museum and explains the meaning of the term made of various materials such as wood, metal, ivory or Aegyptus evidence of the the letter I, or iota, hence the name of the painting, the Iota Cross. survived over from between the sixth and eighth centuries depicts a central cross cancelled…Because he demanded of President Sisi Copt (Qibt, from the Greek ) and how it was leather. The crosses in the museum are mainly from the spirit and soul Among other paintings are The Irq Sus Vendor by Isaac Guirguis time, living on surrounded by twelve octagons, and is believed to have been part of a [to agree to] six conditions otherwise Egypt would used in the past to refer to all Egyptians but later was 20th century and include Ethiopian crosses, which are Barsoum (1912 – 1983) and The Nubian Girl by Kawkab Youssef liturgical tunic. A colourful fragment from the eighth century shows be penalised. The conditions are: narrowed down to denote only Egyptian Christians. of a society or different from Coptic crosses and include many styles up to the (1909 – 2008), a contemporary and close friend of Marguerite a Sassanian winged horse, twin doves and a pomegranate tree; the 1. That the agreement [between Egypt and Saudi Coptic art, as scholars define it, includes the Egyptian civilisation" unlike the Coptic. present" Nakhla. On display are five camel-skin banners made especially pomegranate was a symbol of the Church. Arabia] on the islands of Tiran and Sanafir [by which works of art from the third to the fifth centuries AD. The ecclesiastical vestments included in the museum for the museum and depicting scenes from the frescoes of the Old Egypt would hand these Saudi islands that have been The author, however, disagrees with this rigid definition give a glimpse of the history of the first Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of Faras in Nubia, now immersed under the waters of Lake Nasser Local and imported wood under Egyptian control since 1950 to Saudi Arabia] and rather believes in the “continuity of Coptic art from ancient churches in North America, at the time when Fr Marcos would upstream the Aswan High Dam. The last chapter of the book is dedicated to Coptic woodwork. Most of the should be postponed, and consequently the projected to modern times” and that it is a form of art which has “adapted, constantly travel from one place to another across the continent to Mina al-Gebaly is a Coptic-Canadian artist who, in the aftermath of 11 ancient Egyptian artefacts that remain were fashioned in stone, and Egypt is bridge [between Egypt and Saudi Arabia] should be adopted and survived over time”. minister for the Coptic congregation, thus earning the nickname September 2001, began to search for ways to achieve peace and discovered that described as “a country of stones”. Small items of woodwork were made of the halted. The section following the introduction gives an abridged “the Flying Priest”. The book explains in detail the layers of this could only be through faith. Among his works is a series of three paintings: wood of local trees, while timber for larger objects such as doors and ships was 2. That Egypt should agree that the Muslim Brothers chronology of the dates and events pertinent to the history of the ecclesiastical vestments and the symbols they represent. At first Peace Planter, Peace Dancer and The Way of Hatred. St Mark’s Museum imported from Lebanon, Syria, Ethiopia and Nubia. currently outside Egypt should return [to Egypt]. Copts. It includes political, religious, social and cultural events these vestments were very similar to those used in the Byzantine displays the Peace Planter. The style of woodwork known as mashrabiya (lattice-like) is mistakenly called 3. That political prisoners [in Egypt] should be throughout the history of Egypt from the time Christianity was Church, but gradually acquired a character of their own. Special CLockwise from above left: Rug from Harraniya; ‘arabesque’ while in fact it had its origins in the work of Coptic wood artisans released. introduced to Egyptians by St Mark in the first century AD up to attention is also granted to describing the monk’s hood and the Pope Tawadros visits the museum; The Coptic Writing it down which flourished during the fifth and seventh centuries. Woodwork appeared 4. That Egypt should relinquish her demand to modern times. symbols related to it. Museum in Toronto; Fakhouri's Maspero Martyrs; Papyrus, books and manuscripts feature in the St Mark’s Museum collection. in Coptic homes in about the 13th century, but the most impressive pieces of support and arm the Libyan army in order for it to The highlight of this section is the ecclesiastical vestments of Coptic crosses and clerical vestments; Nakhla's Papyrus was the material used in Egypt since antiquity for writing and Coptic woodwork are found in churches and monasteries, and include pieces fight terrorism on its own land. Biblical art Pope Shenouda III donated by Pope Tawadros II during his pastoral Ten Virgins; sixth to eighth century textile illustrations. Although the Romans also used parchment, vellum and wooden such as iconostases, church doors, pulpits and other liturgical items. The best- 5. That the case of the foreign financing [of Egyptian Each of the 14 chapters covers a specific genre of Coptic art, trip to the US and Canada in 2014. fragment; old Coptic icon; Egyptian stamp sheets bound into codices, papyrus remained in wide use until it was replaced in known piece of wooden Coptic art is the door of St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox NGOs] should be closed once and for all, this case highlighting the main exhibits in St Mark’s Coptic Museum. commemorating return of St Mark's relics to the ninth and tenth centuries by paper made of linen rags. The languages used Church in Rashid, which is on display at the Coptic Museum in Cairo. being part of the bigger Case Number 250 Exclusive Chapter 1 is dedicated to the biblical paintings of Marguerite Icons through the ages Egypt; book cover; Still life by Nakhla; Pope in written texts evolved from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics to Greek to Coptic, The St Mark’s Museum collection includes wooden crosses and liturgical Supreme National Security [court]. Nakhla (1908 – 1977), one of Egypt’s best-known painters. Ms “Icons are an integral part of the Coptic Orthodox Divine Shenouda III visits the museum and finally Arabic. Texts would sometimes be written in two languages on the objects in addition to five beautiful 18th-century wooden frames, both in the 6. That President Sisi should not run for a second Nakhla was born into a distinguished Coptic family, graduated Liturgy,” Ms Moussa writes in chapter 6. They depict scenes from same page. mashrabiya style with mother of pearl inlays. term, or that early elections should be held. from the School of Fine Arts in Cairo and pursued higher studies the Bible or from the lives of the saints represented on them, and Coptic literature flourished between the fourth and ninth centuries; illustrations The book concludes with a list of suggested readings into the different genres • The penalty to be imposed against Egypt should at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts in Paris and the are considered intermediaries between the saints and the faithful. were added to texts in the eighth century. The 18th and 19th centuries saw a of Coptic art. she reject these conditions: Ecole Spéciale de Dessin. She later taught at the Women’s Higher The first icons in Christianity are said to have been drawn by St revival in book and manuscript writing. Most of the books and manuscripts in International escalation of the case of Gulio Regini, Institute of Art Education in Cairo. Her paintings are a skilful Luke, and depicted the Holy Virgin. Coptic Iconography reached its the St Mark’s Museum collection are from the first quarter of the 20th century, Easy to read which would then be taken to the International Court mix of modern art with Egyptian and Coptic folklore. In her own peak between the fourth and seventh centuries and for the most part while some are earlier and are written mainly in Coptic and Greek, Coptic and The book is written in simple English far removed from sophisticated academic of Justice that would [be directed to] issue a ruling words, “I look for the anecdote, and I always try to give a touch the artists were monks. However, the icons from this period were Arabic or in Arabic only. The book shows a small fragment of a papyrus written jargon and includes many illustrations of the artefacts it describes. Each chapter against Egypt, upon which the Security Council of documentation to the painting I create… I try to provoke a unsigned and therefore little is known about their creators. Later, in Greek which is probably an official document from the fifth or sixth century. opens with a brief history of the artistic genre and an explanation of its main would levy harsh sanctions against Egypt. This is thought… an idea.” and up to the 16th century, iconography declined and was replaced The museum collection includes a copy of the first book published in Arabic characteristics in Coptic art, and then proceeds with information about the why Obama is in London, to coordinate with the The book features three of the six paintings of biblical scenes by by manuscript writing and wall painting. Iconography was revived La Pêche Miraculeuse (The about the history of the Copts: The History of the Coptic Nation by Jacob Nakhla artists followed by a display of a piece of art and the explanation of its meaning European Union, of course upon incitement from Ms Nakhla on display at the museum: in the 18th and 19th centuries upon the establishment of modern Miracle of the Great Catch) Jésus au Milieu des Docteurs Roffeila (1899); an Arabic translation of St John Chrysostom’s interpretation of and symbolism. The book is therefore not a mere description of works in St Israel, and prepare for [the execution of] the plan. , 1960; Egypt by Viceroy Muhammad Ali who allowed the building of (Jesus among the Teachers in the Temple Les Vierges the Gospel of St Matthew by Bishop Severus Hermopolis Magna in the tenth Mark’s Museum wealth of collections, but is rather a concise yet comprehensive • Did you know what Obama demanded of King ), 1971; and churches and monasteries. From this time on, iconography was no Sages et les Vierges Folles (The Wise and the Foolish Virgins century, transcribed in the 18th century; a book of Agpeya in Arabic and Coptic illustrated history of Coptic art. It carries the reader into a journey to discover Salman He demanded that a Gulf military force , longer restricted to members of the clergy; lay persons too became from the 19th century, transcribed by Hanania el-Baramoussy; and a 19th one of the many facets of Egyptian cultural heritage, a facet often overlooked be formed to defend the Gulf countries and leave 1973. Nakhla’s depiction of biblical scenes is characterised by a the modern day iconographers. century Ethiopian manuscript of the Dawit book of praises written in Ge’ez, the despite its richness and strong connection with many aspects of today’s Egyptian Egypt out—do you [now] understand the attempts at deep sense of movement, a choice of vibrant colours and special St Mark’s Museum has two icons from the 18th century. The St Mary of the Seven sorrows Ethiopian liturgical language. On a more modern note, the museum boasts the modern life. division? attention to facial expressions. first, by Beshar Ibn Saqr, is written first translation of the Coptic offices into English published in 1930. The author and museum curator Ms Helene Moussa has spared no effort to I ask all to share this on the widest scale so that Other than the paintings of biblical scenes, the museum has in a style similar to that used in the Roman Catholic Church. The highlight the main idea and theme of the museum, “the continuity of Coptic art everyone would know.” recently acquired three additional paintings by Ms Nakhla, one of second, depicting St Menas, is unique because it depicts the saint Stamp collection from ancient to modern times”. She puts into focus the “integral contributions Is it obvious now how such material can spread a Paris scene of the Jardin du Luxembourg and two still lifes, a in a manner totally different from his traditional depiction between Items of metalwork displayed at the museum consist mainly of articles used for that Copts and Coptic civilisation have made to the history of Egypt”. potentially destructive information where our national watermelon and a melon sliced in the typically Egyptian way. two kneeling camels and with a sick sheep. The icon at St Mark’s liturgical purposes such as crosses, candelabras, and censers from modern times. Ms Moussa believes that museums are not just places to display exhibits; they security and strategic interests are concerned? But again Ms Moussa says the museum is now proud to have ten of Museum shows him in the unusual scene of slaying a dragon, and is The museum also boasts an impressive collection of stamps. Chapter 11 of have an educational role to inform future generations about the ideas, people, I stress that, even worse, such false unsubstantiated news Marguerite Nakhla’s paintings among its permanent collection. written in the Akhmim style characterised by large eyes, flat face of Explore St Mark’s Coptic Museum explains that the Egyptian modern postal and cultures of the past. “Objects in a museum are tangible evidence of the spirit are spread by people who are seen as the epitome of size disproportionate to the rest of the body, and arabised elements. service was established during the reign of Muhammad Ali. In 1843, the first and soul of a society or civilisation,” she writes. education and culture, yet who never bother to check the History in clay credibility or validity of the material they get. Do they An overview of clay and sculpture in Coptic art is given in a full Modern examples realise that they thus stand to ruin Egypt? chapter in the book. Pottery has existed in Egypt since 4500BC, The 20th century saw an unprecedented activity in Coptic Watani International editorial team: Dalia Victor, Donia Wagdy, Lydia Farid, Nivert Rizkallah, Sherine Nader Copy editor: Jenny Jobbins Layout editor: Heba Adel with similar styles and techniques being used through the centuries iconography, especially after the establishment of the Institute of