Egypt reaps outcomes of “democratic” electionsDecember 17, 2011 - 17:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - It was not difficult to forecast Egypt’s course of developments in a more radical Islamic direction following the victory of Islamist Muslim Brotherhood in the first round of parliamentary elections. Introduction of poll tax on Christians was a vivid proof of its attempts to rebuild the county. “Christians will not pay Jizya (poll tax), even when threatened with martyrdom,” sedmitza.ru quoted Bishop Yohanna Kolta of the Coptic Catholic Church as saying. Jizya is an annual tax levied on able bodied adult males of military age and affording power, except for the monks. Apparently, Egypt has resolved to return to centuries-old traditions, that West tried to annihilate through UN human rights conventions and a number of organizations. These very tools helped the protesters, including Muslim Brotherhood to gain victory against Mubarak regime. However, human rights and freedom of speech rapidly changed into confessional discrimination contrary to all these principles. Gohar Karapetyan Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Iran’s Red Crescent sends aid to Armenia’s flood-hit regions The Iranian Red Crescent Society has sent humanitarian aid to the victims of deadly floods that hit northern Armenia on May 25-26. Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. |