Latest in Opinion Highlight
Latest in Opinion
Sanitation, cabinet and transparency
Egyptian commentators continued to explore the national hygiene campaign initiated by President Morsy last weekend. Several opinion writers have attacked the move claiming it is never the role of Egyptian taxpayers to collect waste from streets. Other columnists have called upon Egyptians and political powers to allow a chance for the new government to prove …
Editor’s letter: Lessons from Muhammad Ali’s era
There are always hope and dreams, even in the middle of the darkest nights
The “civil” and the “religious”: maintaining the distinction
Among the social and political effects of the rise of the post-revolutionary Islamic elite in Egypt is a harmful blurring between the civil and religious spheres. The two realms were often conflated in Egypt long before the revolution but this trend has been continued even further by Islamist forces in the past year-and-a-half. The start …
Morsy, the Brotherhood, and Qandil scrutinised
President Morsy, the Muslim Brotherhood, and newly appointed Prime Minister Hesham Qandil, remain the focus of opinion writing. The relationship between the Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian intelligentsia has raised the concern of many who are fearful of Islamists excluding opposing voices within the art and culture realm. Meanwhile, it is suggested that the possibility …
Your ID, Your rights
Thousands of marginilised women in Qalyoubia are now the proud owners of national IDs but it will be a while yet, before all four million women in Egypt who are without national IDs – can acquire their cards and their rights
On the 60th Anniversary of the July 23 Revolution: what about the Junta and the Brotherhood?
By Alia Assam It could have hardly been imagined by the Free Officers who led the military coup on 23 July 1952 that an elected president belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood would be delivering a commemoration speech on the 60th Anniversary of their ascension to power. When President Morsy unexpectedly addressed the nation in a TV …
In search of Morsy’s powers in constitution
Before President Morsy had announced former Minister of Irrigation Hesham Qandil as Egypt’s new premier, columnists across the Egyptian press tried to analyse Morsy’s proper powers in the constitution. Elsewhere, several columnists have continued to explore the 60th anniversary of the July 1952 revolution, while comparing the of the July coup d’état with the January …
The pyramids are fine
Dear America, the pyramids are still here, thank you for enquiring about their health
A New Arab World: local, regional and international transformations
Essam Al-Eryan, a leading Muslim Brotherhood figure who also heads the Committee of Foreign Relations in the post-revolution parliament wrote on his twitter account: “Democracy, free elections, and peaceful transition of power, will change the map of the region and end Sykes Picot. The Arab citizen has become the decision maker, and Islam is the …
January vs. July
The January 25th revolutionaries believe in their heart of hearts that their revolution came to end the July 23rd revolution
Ramadan TV series trumps politics
While political debate in Egypt had at one point taken on a sense of political tele-drama it has still somehow been eclipsed by television’s entertainment dramas
Review: July 1952 Revolution’s 60th anniversary hits Egyptian commentary
Egypt’s most prominent writers reflect their opinions about the revolution of July 23rd – 1952.
On the 60th Anniversary of the July 23 Revolution: what about the Junta and the Brotherhood?
By: Alia Essam It could have hardly been imagined by the Free Officers who led the military coup on July 23 1952 that an elected president belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood would be delivering a commemoration speech on the 60th Anniversary of their ascension to power. When President Morsy unexpectedly addressed the nation in a …
Military Trials and Morsi’s Amnesty
Ever since Morsi’s victory in the presidential election, calls have been escalating for a presidential intervention in to cases where civilians have been detained in military prisons and tried before military courts. Regardless of the motives; whether a response to political pressure or genuine compassion for the cause, Morsi has promised to put the issue …
Review: Omar Suleiman’s funeral and Morsy’s hygiene campaign occupy Egypt’s op-eds
Egypt writers continue to reflect their opinion about Omar Suleiman’s funeral and President Mohamed Morsy’s hygiene campaign.
Editor’s letter: Cover up woman
Women are always to blame for whatever happens to them, in almost every culture and religion
Omar Suleiman: Man of mystery and controversy
To most Egyptians, Suleiman will remain a man of both mystery and controversy. Respected and admired by some, he also inspired loathing and fear in others
Morsy’s Ramadan Speech, Africa and Sulieman’s death
Morsy’s Ramadan Speech, Africa and Sulieman’s death After President Morsy addressed the nation on the occasion of Ramadan and mentioned the importance of revisiting the ties with the African continent, many columnists across the Egyptian press have touched on his speech, while some have recalled the achievements of the 23 July 1952 revolution within the …
Isn’t it Morsy’s duty?
Morsy was once there in one of the same cells. Isn’t it time to feel for his fellow political detainees? Shaimaa is out, but many remain inside!
Women at the frontiers
For those who launch attacks on journalists to stop the free flow of information, perhaps no message is as fitting as the following words from Chilean poet Pablo Neruda: “You can cut the flower but you cannot stop the coming of spring…”
Review: One hundred days’ promises
Criticism of both the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) and President Morsy have occupied a large space in Egyptian political discourse. While the SCAF and its Chairman Field Marshal Hussein Tanatwi were blamed for poorly administering the transitional period and offering the keys of the country to the Muslim Brotherhood, President Morsy is heavily …
A continuing power struggle: SCAF and the Muslim Brotherood
Columnists in several Egyptian newspapers have explored different subjects, yet all relate to President Morsy, the Muslim Brotherhood and the Supreme Council of Armed Forces. Some commentaries recall the history of the Muslim Brotherhood and its rise to power, while others stress the continuing conflict between the Islamist parties and SCAF in the context of …
Morsy, the human being
Morsy is not a construct, no matter if that is how he appears to me. Morsy is a human being. He has a family. He has children
Resurrecting the parliament: winners and losers
The 24-hour parliament resurrection was a direct benefit to both the Brotherhood and the SCAF, and a long-term dividing factor to the already divided secular opposition forces in Egypt.
Freedom of expression on call
The revolution for freedom and justice continues despite the strength of its opposition.
Morsy, his trips and the parliament
As President Morsy finishes his visit to Saudi Arabia and commences his diplomatic trip to Addis Ababa without a formed government, columnists in several Egyptian newspapers have expressed their concern over his visit to the House of Saud and its implications. Other writers place stress on signs that indicate how the Supreme Council of Armed …
Why is Morsy busy traveling?
Domestic politics are still ongoing and can be managed temporarily without Morsy. On the foreign front, however, and for the time being, the president is needed to consolidate Egypt post- revolution
Editor’s letter: Chess on a backgammon board
It is a long an incomprehensible messy chess-backgammon game in which we are forced to watch or sometimes play soldiers
On the best foreign policy priorities
The first foreign presidential visit has further divided domestic opinion in lieu of offering an opportunity to unify the nation over a common cause.
Geography ranks high
I do not understand how those who learned about persecution first hand have no qualms ensuring it will be part of a new Egypt, how geography ranks higher than freedom.