Loula Lahham

Polls open tomorrow. The choice is between Al-Sisi, a former general, and Moussa Moustapha Moussa, an obscure last-minute candidate. Others who wanted to run have either pulled out or been arrested. A low turnout and violence by the Islamic State are major concerns. Yesterday, an attack in Alexandria left two people dead and five seriously wounded.

Without a permit, the buildings were outside the law. A 1934 law prevented the construction of new Christian buildings. Under a new law adopted in 2016, Egyptian governors must justify whenever they reject an application. According to a local NGO, Egypt’s three main denominations (Orthodox, Evangelical, Catholic) have submitted in total 3,730 applications for regularised status.

Three years after the massacre of the 21 young Copts, a cathedral for the "martyrs of the faith" was built and consecrated in Al Ur, in Upper Egypt. The remains of the victims, found in a cave in Sirte, after DNA testing, will be on display on the ground floor of the building. The words of the martyrs' families.

Eight Copts were shot to death at the entrance of the church during an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. Two police officers also died. Lives were saved thanks to the quick response by Muslim worshippers to an appeal by the imam of the neighbouring mosque to rescue 'Coptic brothers’. Since 2011, the Copts have been targeted by Islamists.

The building attacked by 5 thousand Muslims, furious because a bell tower was being planned. More than 250 thousand policemen and soldiers deployed to protect churches. Almost completed the work for the Coptic Orthodox cathedral in the new administrative capital, 40 km from Cairo.

The dead include 27 children. There are 128 wounded. The mosque attack is the first of its kind and the deadliest in the history of modern Egypt. More attacks are feared. It is impossible to protect all mosques. The goal is to weaken the government ahead of next year’s presidential elections. Survivors tell their stories. Gunmen shot at people fleeing.

The attack on the faithful at the conclusion of Friday's prayer left 235 dead and 140 wounded. There are 30 children among the victims. First time a Sunni mosque targeted in Egypt. President Al Sisi declares three days of national mourning and promises to respond to the attack with "maximum force". Air raids against terrorist weapons stores. Pope Francis: Let us pray for hearts hardened by hatred to learn to give up the path of violence.

Worshippers used a building as a temporary church to pray. On Sunday, police surrounded it, preventing people from entering because it did have an official permit. On the same day, in Alexandria, a Coptic woman was stabbed as she left a church.

The testimony of a survivor: "They asked us to proclaim the Muslim faith. We refused. Then they opened fire. " Protests mount across the nation accusing authorities and the government of [timid] fight against terrorism. Muslims and Christians queue to donate blood. The first funeral celebrated yesterday.

Islam Al-Behairy was sentenced to five years in jail for criticising the Sunni institution. In December he received a presidential pardon. Francis's visit is an honour and an example of tolerance. The peace conference is a media success, but without consequences for the fight against terrorism. The books used by al-Azhar incite violence. Ahmad Al-Tayeb is a perpetual contradiction.

Four significant moments marked the first day of Francis in Egypt. Admiration and appreciation for the courage shown by the pontiff: "Thank you for having risked your security for us." And some would like an Egyptian capital, as it is today, "clean, uncrowded and of a particular beauty. Reminiscent of the past."

The President of the Republic al-Sisi personally supervising the security apparatus. Cairo wants to show itself as a tolerant, fraternal and welcoming country. Today, the intervention at al-Azhar peace conference. Over 35,000 people (accredited) for tomorrow's Mass at the aeronautics academy. More extremist threats against Christians in Minya.