Egypt’s President Turns to Religion to Bolster His Authority

THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Declan Walsh

EGYPT---When President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi opened a much-heralded extension to the Suez Canal in August, the official Friday Prayer sermon that week hailed it as a “gift from God.” Fears of Islamist rule helped propel Mr. Sisi, then a military general, to power in 2013 following giant protests that led to the ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood government. But as Mr. Sisi wrestles with militant attacks and a struggling economy, he has increasingly turned to religion to bolster his authority and justify a crackdown on his rivals. [link]
Egypt cracks down on popular preacher over 'political' sermon
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi (2nd R) talks next to Coptic Pope Tawadros II as he attends Christmas Eve Mass at St. Mark's Cathedral, the seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope in Cairo, on January 6, 2015.