Gaza___Â the formula of a quick fix and hope for the best has failed. The simple fact that the recent war in the Gaza strip is the third in six years is enough proof of the futility of one lull after another. The civilians in Gaza cannot handle another dose of a pain remedy that eases …
âShocking, appalling, preposterously unjust.â These are excerpts of angry global reactions to the harsh prison sentences of three journalists for Al-Jazeera English by an Egyptian court. Canadian Mohamed Fahmy and Australian Peter Greste were sentenced to seven years in jail on charges of aiding terrorists and endangering national security, based merely on ludicrous pieces of evidence. While the verdict …
The British decision to launch an investigation into the Muslim Brotherhood and its alleged links with radical militancy has sparked widespread controversy. Many people are justifiably surprised by the sudden decision and the possibility that it is politically motivated by Saudi pressure. However, more alarming is the comment made by the Brotherhoodâs most senior leader in the …
Last Friday, a small group of Palestinians protested near the Egyptian border, demanding the opening of the Rafah border. Their congregation ended uneventfully; however, it highlights a brewing crisis between post-Morsi Egypt and the Hamas government in Gaza that can easily explode any time soon. Moreover, Tony Blair, the special envoy of the Quartet on the Middle East …
The culture of rumours and speculations in Egypt can tempt us to abandon our logical thinking. Take, for example, the resignation of Beblawiâs governmentâthis was a move that took many by surprise, but it shouldnât have. The government resignation was inevitable; the timing may be intriguing, but the decision was not. Clarity and transparency are …
Over the course of a few days, the Muslim Brotherhood has released two very different statements. One is defiant and was issued by their imprisoned leader, ex-president Morsi, who warns that, âEgypt will not recover from its crisis until the coup that removed him from power has been reversed.â Later on Saturday, his supporters, the national …
Will political satire survive in Egypt? Since January 2011, satirist Bassem Youssef has become Egyptâs most popular comedian. He has poked fun at nearly every one of Egyptâs political elite, and his merciless, biting jokes about ex-president Morsiâs poor performance and bad English have earned him million of fans â and many enemies. Last April, he was …
By Nervana Mahmoud Quick glances at the events that lead to the 30 June protests and the subsequent army take-over on 3 July are enough for any observer to understand that Sisiâs success resulted mainly in his ability to garner a wide coalition against the Muslim Brotherhood. This support included a wide section of the …
By Nervana Mahmoud Nothing reflects the essence of Islam better than the pilgrimage to Mecca. It sums up the faith in a nutshell: humility, reflection and most importantly, equality. In the haj, women stand side by side with men; the rich stand alongside the poor; brown people alongside white. All are equal in the journey …
By Nervana Mahmoud A month has passed since the forced ending of the pro-Morsi sit-ins in Cairo. The widespread security crackdown and the arrest of the Brotherhoodâs most senior cadres have had a huge impact by paralyzing the main skeleton of the group and limiting their ability to function. How has the Muslim Brotherhood coped with this? …
By Nervana Mahmoud The political map of Egypt is slowly changing. As events continue to unfold following June 30 and then the July 3 coup, there are emerging new realties that may have an impact the future of the country for years to come. Currently, however, there is nothing definitive or clear. First, the ongoing …
By Nervana Mahmoud October 6, 1981 _____Â the distance between my home and the bakery was no more than a few hundred metres, yet it felt like an endless journey. The vibrant streets of Cairo were reduced to a deafening silence, as if everyone has disappeared. My mother and I were totally unaware that President …
By Nervana Mahmoud Itâs hard to absorb all of the events that took place last week in Egypt. Many details have yet to be digested. What is certain, though, is that this was the yearâs most crucial week, with far-reaching ramifications. Thus far, we only have disputed assessments from inside and outside of Egypt. Last …
By Nervana Mahmoud Beni Suefâ A story of romance has turned ugly and led to eruption of another round of sectarianism in Egypt. Rana El-Shazli, a 21-year-old Egyptian Muslim woman, is believed to have converted to Christianity and fled to Turkey with a Coptic Christian man. Although interfaith relationships are common across the globe, …
By Nervana Mahmoud âValentineâs Day represents for the Christians, a celebration of adultery and prostitution, and those who go out on this day are prostitutes.â That is how Abu Islam, a radical Egyptian preacher has described Valentineâs Day. He took the hatred that many radicals share for this day to brand it with a new label …
By Nervana Mahmoud Egypt has always been portrayed in folk history as a woman with eternal youth, defiant and graceful. But the state that has been proud of its iconic past is currently crumbling at a surprisingly fast pace, and no one seems to be able to stop it. The chaotic scenes witnessed in Egypt …
Mali is a victim of the toxic mix of weak state, well-funded militant groups, neglect from moderate Muslims, and Western countriesâ attempts to advance their own interests.
By Nervana Mahmoud They went out in the thousands; Egyptians from every walk of life and almost all political affiliations protested in Tahrir against President Morsyâs latest decree and the draft of the new constitution. However, they were not the only ones protesting. Islamist groups, mainly the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis, protested too, but …
By Nervana Mahmoud Frantic diplomatic efforts are ongoing in Cairo and all the major Palestinian players are involved: Hamas; Khaled Meshaal; Moussa Abu-Marzook; Islamic Jihad; Ramadan Shalah; Fatah; and Nabil Shaath. Israelâs Channel Two television station has announced that an Israeli envoy is also heading to Cairo. That is in addition to the big three …
By Nervana Mahmoud Turkey is a unique Muslim nation with a distinct history, geography, and political progression. It has never been occupied, and its contemporary path has evolved differently than that of its Muslim neighbors. Turkey has a strong secular establishment and is mostly governed by secular laws. Turks are proud, moderate Muslims who follow …
