Jesus Film best-seller in Cairo

While most publishers complained of poor sales the 50-strong Bible Society team worked literally round the clock. Many exhibitors and publishers at the book fair recognised that the Jesus Film was the real reason for the crowds and asked to be allowed to sell the packet (Jesus Film and New Testament) on their own stands. Some Islamic publishers thanked the Bible Society's staff at the end of the fair, saying 'If it weren't for the Bible Society, nobody would have come to this part of the fair'.

One local Christian reported that an old, crippled man he picked up in his car asked him 'Have you got the film?' When asked which film he meant, the old man replied 'The Jesus Film!' as though everyone in Cairo, 'The Hollywood of the Middle East', must know what he meant. 'My son bought the book at the fair, and we have all seen it. Now I want my own copy!'

Anis Mansour, one of Egypt's most famous columnists, who also bought the film at the fair reported his experience on the back page of Ahram, the most-read daily paper in the Arab world: 'I watched the film twice, once with and once without sound. The second time, I could only hear myself mumbling to myself as I followed this story of humility, simplicity and mercy which triumphed over violence and suffering.'

'God has opened a new door for us here', said an Egyptian Bible Society spokesman. They are now facing a new problem: how to finance and produce enough Bibles to fill the demand.

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