Opinion
Egypt’s democratic gala
April 27, 2012
Egypt’s democratic gala
Every stage of Egypt's supposedly democratic transition has been hailed as part of a bigger democratic gala; from the referendum…
My uncle, the Brother
April 26, 2012
My uncle, the Brother
On 13 February 2011, two days after Hosni Mubarak was forced out of office, my uncle, Mohammed Abdel Qoddous, walked…
The Salafi star at the Pyramids
April 24, 2012
The Salafi star at the Pyramids
The popularity of the Salafi Sheikh Adel was surprising, particularly in the top tourist destination in Egypt, the pyramids. A…
Hard questions and indecisive answers
April 23, 2012
Hard questions and indecisive answers
The supposedly "angry" speech made by Muslim Brotherhood stalwart and former Deputy Supreme Guide Khairat al-Shater, who was dubbed the…
Beyond the Annan plan for Syria
April 22, 2012
Beyond the Annan plan for Syria
One week after the first UN monitors arrived in Syria to oversee implementation of the peace plan negotiated by UN…
The embattled Brothers
April 19, 2012
The embattled Brothers
“Never gamble to increase your comp credits,” is a rule that the Muslim Brotherhood should have learned before playing politics.…
The junta and the dilemma of a macho president
April 18, 2012
The junta and the dilemma of a macho president
With a stroke of a pen, the Presidential Elections Commission managed to disappoint and deeply frustrate many Egyptians. For after…
Lessons of autism
April 17, 2012
Lessons of autism
“Ca.” That was the first time I got cold shivers all over my body. After three months of saying “cat,”…
Tunisia’s Salafis raise a black flag
April 17, 2012
Tunisia’s Salafis raise a black flag
It’s difficult to say how it started. For clarity’s sake, let’s begin on 28 November 2011. Enraged at the university’s…
Gunter Grass’ poem on Israel: Freeing many from silence?
April 16, 2012
Gunter Grass’ poem on Israel: Freeing many from silence?
The recent poem of Gunter Grass, “What Must Be Said,” has stirred a storm of controversy in the West, as…