conference held from 29 April to 4 May 1911, attended by two thousand delegates, to discuss issues of national significance, including demands made by Copts in their coptic congress of asyut. Mustafa Riyad Pasha, a former prime minister, was chairman, and Ibrahim al-Hilbawi was secretary. Among the speakers were Ahmad Lutfi al-Sayyid, ‘Abd al-‘Aziz Jawish, Hafiz Ramadan, and ‘Ali Yusuf.
The delegates drafted the following resolutions:
1. Political rights should not be based on religious considerations. 2. No religious community may claim a national day of rest. 3. Ability should be the sole criterion for official appointments. 4. All citizens should have an equal right to vote. Highly qualified persons may, however, be accorded more votes.
5. As a community Copts should not be entitled to special financial aid for their own religious amenities.
The report was concluded by urging harmonious and tolerant coexistence.
samirah bahr