11.   The government has repeatedly said that allowing the scarves would damage racial unity by underscoring differences among students.

12.   They are now standing trial for violating the constitution, damaging national unity and defaming the government.

13.   However Oil Minister Abdel Mohsen al-Midaj stepped up pressure on the strikers by warning that their protest was damaging national unity.

14.   Both Christians and Moslems said the conference would damage Egyptian unity because it labelled Christians as minorities.