Latest in Tag: opinion Highlight
Latest in Tag: opinion
The circus is in town
The circus is in town, people, and it is not leaving anytime soon. Sit back and enjoy the show.
Review: Constituent Assembly, Morsyâs promises and parliamentary elections
Columnists are counting how many promises President Morsy has fulfilled, of the many he said he would meet within his first 100 days in office. Others are considering upcoming parliamentary elections, in particular the odds of success for Salafi former presidential candidate Hazem Abu Ismail and his new party. Finally, the ongoing saga of the …
From the other side: Amr Moussa stay at home
We do not mention his involvement in the crime. Nor do we mention his defence to the matter. We do not know of his opposition to an error. Nor do we not know of his political stance. He is Amr Moussa, the veteran diplomat with a long history of nearly 53 years of service in …
Egypt: authenticity, Islamists and liberals
Authenticity is a trait that almost all politicians like to claim one way or another. Whether it is an American presidential incumbent speaking of how he stands for real American values versus his opponent or here in Egypt where a liberal may speak of an Islamistâs lack of Egyptian authenticity by reasoning that Islamist ideas …
Scratching the surface of the financial crisis
For several weeks now, state-run media has been depicting a somewhat rosy outlook on the economy. Government officials are downplaying the gravity of issues; prominent figures such as Hassan Malek spew comforting statements,citing the pending influx of foreign investment and loans from international financial lenders and governments. The IMF loan , which would shore-up the …
Orientalist Democracy
The âOrientalistâ dimension makes the Western outlook of the democratic process in Egypt prisoner to a one-sided vision
Review: Al-Nour’s inner conflict
Egyptian columnists have recently been inundating their readers with analyses of the root causes of internal clashes hitting the infrastructure of the salafist Al-Nour party. Some have put the blame on the partyâs lack of experience in the political arena. Other writers explore the recent developments taking place in Sinai, especially in Rafah, where Christian …
Bar for free expression still low in ânewâ Egypt
In March 2011, blogger Maikel Nabil became the first prisoner of conscience in Egypt, post-revolution. He was arrested and detained on charges of spreading rumours about the armed forces and criticising the military in his blog posts. Nabil was tried in a military court and sentenced to three years in prison, but was released after …
The cult of personality
A perfect example is Mona Eltahawy who was arrested in New York City a few days ago. In a carefully colour-coordinated attack of spray paint and raincoat on an offensive ad in the city’s subway, Eltahawy professed to be exercising her freedom of speech.
Editorâs letter: Fight or work for Egyptian TV
Why do they hate the media? And who are they?
Are there strategic constants unifying Muslim Brotherhood and political powers toward the Palestinian issue?
An agreement on some strategic foundations is necessary for any country going through a democratic transition. It is unreasonable for any winning party in any country to turn against the policies of its predecessor, especially in terms of foreign policy. A major change in a country’s strategic focus means there has been a major change …
Review: columnists discuss strikes and challenges of constitution
The increasing trend of protests and sit-ins affecting Egyptâs governorates are analysed by some columnists, while others keep their attention focused on the challenges facing the draft constitution. Fahmy Howeidi We brought down the walls, but didnât build bridges Al-Shorouk newspaper There were around 1400 strikes and demonstrations across Egypt in a span of …
Non-Islamists need to get their act together
It is in the interest of Egypt to have a strong political opposition in parliament to hold the government, and the presidency, to account.
Hope
Make the choice, to live or not, once and for all.
Human Rights Corner
The continuing struggle for rights through street art
Review: op-ed pages discuss constitution, dole out criticism for Morsy
Heated debates are triggered over the Constituent Assembly, it dwindling membership and the delay in finalising the country’s most important document, the constitution. In almost all Egyptian newspapers columnists have analysed the factors affecting the Constituent Assembly in its process of drafting a constitution. On another note, some writers continued with their weekly dose of …
The future of Egypt’s media
People, parties and powers are fighting to win the argument over the future shape of Egypt’s media sector
Of women and sex
Those in power are too busy to notice the daily atrocities committed against women
When the bankrupt are pushed to pay
By Mohammed Ali Ibrahim Once upon a time I wrote in Algoumhoria newspaper that we don’t need another Mahathir Mohammad here to score an economic miracle like that of Malaysia. Rather we need the Malaysian people who achieved that leap into the future. The occasion of the aforementioned article was the visit of the Malaysian prime minister …
Review: new political coalitions and ways to combat religious offences
As political parties continue their pursuit of establishing solidified alliances for the upcoming parliamentary elections, Egyptian columnists dissect the new partisan coalitions, filled with hopes that division wonât strike at them once more. Some writers continue analysing American anti-Islam film, at the risk of becoming overwhelmed, by exploring options through which Muslims could prevent conflict …
The Islamic civilization quest
As Islamic discourses become mainstream in several Muslim countries, one wonders what is there to make out of it? After all practically all modern Islamic movements came about with the objective of reviving an Islamic society, polity or both. The Islamist movement as a whole has come a long way since the demise of the …
From the other side: The inspired leader and the constitution
How many years will we wait for the ruler to be convinced that his position in power is temporary?
The myth of the underdog
Could it all be just a big bubble? How big will the clout of zealous political Islam get before Egyptians begin to realise that itâs just another trick to mobilise masses and score votes? At the expense of painting with a broad brush, political Islam in Egypt might be a bubble close tobursting. The underdog …
Review: columnists consider Al-Nour party, Nile University conflict and division between Arabs
An internal dispute within the Salafi Al-Nour party captures the attention of one columnist, while another focuses on the ongoing conflict on the Nile University campus. The reasons behind Arab disunity are also considered, as is the removal of revolutionary graffiti in Tahrir square. What happens inside âAl-Nourâ party kills the darkness Emad Al-Din …
Editor’s Letter: Unavoidable clash of values
If you donât like it, just donât watch it!
The volcano erupts
The outpouring of rage in Islamic countries isn’t just about a low-budget film insulting the prophet Muhammad. It is the eruption of a volcano that has been simmering for the past eleven years
Turkeyâs economic miracle offers MENA investors big markets to chase
By Tim Reid Turkey has hung out its ‘for sale’ sign at just the right time to grab the attention of Arab investors who are in the market for new destinations to deploy their record energy revenues. A new Turkish real-estate law came into effect in May making it easier for Arabs to buy property …
A country of extremists
It is safe to say that Egypt is going through its own version of a culture war
Media under Morsy: chains remain in place
An overview of Morsy’s behaviour towards media
Praying at gunpoint
By Mohammed Aly Ibrahim The fear of Friday 13th in western superstition as an unlucky day touched upon me as I was heading to perform my weekly prayer. Many Egyptians, myself included, think that the mosques of Prophet Muhammad’s ancestors here bestow endless blessings upon those who regularly visit such places of worship. The most …