A Sense of Belonging

The Face of Egypt’s Educational Flaws

From my recent article on Egypt Source: Education in Egypt has long been criticized, a fact recognized by the authors of the new constitution. Articles 19, 21, and 23 oblige the government to spend four percent of its gross national product on public education, two percent on higher education, and one percent on scientific research. … Continue reading →

Adel Maged: Transitional Justice in the Constitution

From my recent article at Arab West Report, in a series of interviews about the composition of Egypt’s constitution. Adel Maged is the vice-president of the Court of Cassation, and has recently written a draft law on ensuring a process of transitional justice in Egypt. Its details are in the article, but here is an … Continue reading →

Christians, Mostly, Embracing Sisi

From my recent article in Egypt Source: Ultimately, the formation of a new government in Egypt should be about one word: Competency. But the current nature of politics substitutes another word entirely: Sisi. Local analysis revolves around the question of what the development means in terms of the defense minister’s anticipated candidacy for president, and … Continue reading →

Mohamed Abd al-Salam: The Azhar on Religion in Egypt’s Constitution

From my recent article at Arab West Report, continuing a series of interviews with members of the committee that wrote the constitution. Mohamed Abd al-Salam is a judge and the legal adviser to the Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayyib. He discussed a number of religious articles briefly, and gave insight into the controversy whether … Continue reading →

Why the Muslim Brotherhood has a Double Discourse

This excerpt is from the Cairo Review of Global Affairs, published by the American University in Cairo, and authored by a former Muslim Brotherhood member. It is a very long, scholarly, and essential summary of the history of Islamism in Egypt since the revolution. My brief reflection follows: Another major factor that will affect the … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Old and New

God, Egypt served up surprises this week, of both old and new variety. A new government is now an old practice, and some new politicians are decidedly old. But age, experience, and freshness matter little compared to competency and vision. God, give them the latter. The new government is headed by a technocrat from the … Continue reading →

Islamists on the Demise of Islamism

From the Hudson Institute, a very long but very worthy survey of Islamist reflection on current events in Egypt and the fall of Morsi. In addition, it translates in full three current articles on the subject by leading non-Egyptian Islamists, and here is an excerpt from Tunisia’s Rashid al-Ghannouchi: What is called “political Islam” is … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Targeting Tourism

God, Terrorism in Egypt turned a page this week. Until now the targets have almost nearly all been related to the security apparatus – the army and the police. But when a suicide bomber boarded a tourist bus in the Sinai, killing three Koreans and the Egyptian driver, the game changed. The claim of responsibility … Continue reading →

The Syrian State of Play

Here is a link to a well organized and concise description of the different actors present in the ongoing Syrian conflict, from War on the Rocks. If you would like a good primer, it is worth your time to read. Keeping up with the news reports and ever-changing developments is difficult. Here is the general … Continue reading →

Naguib Abadir: The Experience of a Reserve Member in the Constitutional Committee

From my recent article in Arab West Report, continuing a series of interviews with members of the committee which wrote the constitution. Abadir is a founding member of the Free Egyptians Party, and was selected to participate as a stand-by member in case of possible resignations. But he was far more active than that: Within … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Russia, Rebellion, and Relevance

God, Egypt’s presidential race is shaping up, and its arms race as well. The relevance of each is to be determined. Hamdeen Sabbahi, who finished third in the presidential race of 2012, declared his candidacy, claiming to represent both the January 25 and June 30 revolutions. Many then saw him as the best alternative between … Continue reading →

Hosam al-Massah: The Disabled Member of Egypt’s Constitutional Committee

From my recent article on Arab West Report, in a series of interviews with members of the committee which wrote the new constitution. Hosam al-Massah is afflicted with cerebral palsy, yet works as a lawyer in the Ministry of Finance. He represented Egypt’s disabled community through the National Council for Persons with Disabilities: He certainly … Continue reading →

Safwat al-Baiady: Negotiating Religion in the Constitutional Committee

From my recent article at Arab West Report, continuing a series of interviews with members of Egypt’s constitutional Committee of Fifty. Safwat al-Baiady is the head of the Protestant Churches of Egypt, and lent his experience in how the committee’s religious members came to agreement on contentious articles. Here is his perspective on Article 3, … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Jazeera Journalism

God, Journalism is a difficult job, largely dependent on the conscience of the journalist. But not far removed is the outlet that pays the bills. Equidistant is the government which grants the credentials. For all plying this trade in Egypt, God, give them grace, courage, humility, and discernment. Show them what stories to tell. Find … Continue reading →

Mervat al-Tellawi: Women’s Rights in the Constitution

From my recent article in Arab West Report, continuing a series of interviews with members of the constitutional committee. Mervat al-Tallawi is the head of the National Council for Women. She described that strengthening of articles concerning women’s rights was not difficult, setting right the Islamist tinge from 2012. But Tellawi felt these protections were … Continue reading →

Why Egypt’s Christian Families are Paying Ransom

From my recent article at Christianity Today, published online on January 8, 2014, and in the Jan/Feb print edition: In 2011, Nadia Makram, 13, was walking home from church near her working-class Cairo neighborhood when she vanished. Her mother, Martha, went to the police, who refused to file a report. Soon after, Martha received a … Continue reading →

A Security Source Speaks on the Sinai

From my recent article at Arab West Report, describing an interview with a former security officer in the Sinai, who wished to remain anonymous. In light of the current accusations leveled against the Muslim Brotherhood, his comments, issued in May 2013, are very pertinent: These known political figures, including leading Salafi-Jihadis such as ‘Adil Shahātah … Continue reading →

Friday Prayers for Egypt: Waiting on Sisi

God, January 25 has come and gone, giving the now familiar images from all sides. Another massive gathering has celebrated General Sisi, while several smaller gatherings lambaste him. His posters are placed everywhere, and some have now been defaced. A festive, expectant atmosphere presides among his supporters, while arrests and deaths continue among those dedicated … Continue reading →

Mohamed Abla: A Voice for Culture in the Egyptian Constitution

From my recent article at Arab West Report, the first in a series of interviews of members of the committee which wrote Egypt’s constitution. Mohamed Abla is an internationally acclaimed Egyptian artist and was a leading figure in the protests against the appointment of an Islamist head to the Ministry of Culture. As such, protection … Continue reading →