‘Ādil Ḥammūdah says that when Pope Shenouda ordered the transfer of his dialysis machime and other medical equipment to Wādī al-Naṭrūn for his recent seclusion, observers felt that he was planning a long stay, which would mean he would miss the president's inauguration of parliament, which could lead to a clash with the president.

To avoid this, influential Coptic personalities took the initiative of arranging a meeting between Pope Shenouda and representatives of the regime.

Munīr Ghabbūr contacted Dr. Muṣtafá al-Fiqī, as did Dr. Nabīl Lūqā Bibāwī. The three went together to Wādī al-Naṭrūn. There, Ḥammūdah writes, the Pope expressed his sadness at the demonstration by the Salafīs over the Kāmīliyā Shihātah affair and the way he was insulted.

Al-Fiqī asked the Pope to agree to a meeting with Jamāl As‘ad, but the Pope refused. The Pope was also ready with an article by the al-Jumhūrīyah Chief Editor, in which he had underlined passages attacking him.

During the four-hour meeting, it became apparent that the Pope had made a decision to attend the President's speech before the visitors had arrived, but wanted to convey a message through his guests.

The Pope asked for a meeting with Mubarak and Al-Fiqī promised to relay it.