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Arab Spring
Egyptian Blogger Aliaa Elmahdy: Rebel with a Cause?
By now if you have been keeping up with the ‘Arab Awakening,’ you have probably heard of Aliaa Magda Elmahdy, the 20-year-old Egyptian blogger who posted a nude photo of herself. For those of you not familiar with the story, Elmahdy posted the photo as an act of expression against the ‘norm’ found in the … Continue reading
Why a referendum devalues the rule of law
Yesterday, Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, head of Egypt’s ruling junta, made a speech in response to fierce street protests all over the country. “The army is ready to go back to barracks immediately if the people wish that through a popular referendum, if need be,” the army chief said, in what seemed to be … Continue reading
Disenfranchisement as a means of political suppression in post-revolutionary Egypt
In an article, published on Voice of America’s Middle East Voices, I discuss the problem of disenfranchisement, or the act of preventing a citizen from voting, and concerns that it may be used as a means to undermine democracy in post-revolutionary Egypt. My article is based on an earlier report published by Aljazeera which deliberates … Continue reading
Egyptian girl naked photo. Is Egypt ready for nude art?
“All art is propaganda; on the other hand, not all propaganda is art.” (George Orwell) A young Egyptian girl, Aliaa ElMahdy, who claims to have among the protesters in Tahrir Square, posted naked photos of herself and a male friend on her personal blog. She calls this section of her blog “nude art” and displays … Continue reading
Religious slogans between freedom of expression and social responsibility
As I write this article, news has surfaced that the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), the Muslim Brotherhood’s political wing, will not use the Brotherhood’s famous motto “Islam is the Solution” in their political campaigns. Last week, the High Elections Commission issued a ban against the use of religious chants, symbols or slogans in the … Continue reading
Libyan Jew returns from exile to restore synagogue
Libyan Jew returns from exile to restore synagogue. Libyan Jew David Gerbi on Sunday hammered down the brick wall blocking the entrance to the rundown Dar Bishi Synagogue in Tripoli on what he called a “historic day.” Continue reading.
Arab countries urged to help Palestinians after U.S. blocks $200 million of aid
Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi urged countries of the League to increase their financial aid to the Palestinian people after U.S. Congress blocked $200 million of aid to the Palestinians. Continue reading.
Egypt and Turkey, an Axis against Democracy?
The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan began his highly publicized “Arab Spring” tour in Cairo this month as part of an effort to strengthen relations with the new government following the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak. Thousands of Egyptians rushed to greet the Turkish Prime Minister, chanting “Egypt, Turkey – one hand”. Although plans … Continue reading
How the Embassy Protests may Harm the Palestinian Cause
In a previous article “A New Egypt and Israel’s Border Distraction” published on the 4th of September, I argued that Egyptians should not fall prey to the growing anti-Israeli sentiment. I explained that while I believed the anger on the street was legitimate it threatens to derail the primary objectives of Tahrir, and that Egyptians … Continue reading
Israeli Embassy Raid in Cairo, Pointless Setback for Democracy
September 9th was to be a day of protests in Tahrir Square not seen since prior to the month of Ramadan. Known as “correcting the path” amongst organizers, it was to express frustration at the military’s handling of the Mubarak trials and such. Here is a translation of the demands from a website (http://www.elshaheeed.co.uk/): Egyptians … Continue reading
