[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Egypt and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Egypt Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week`s roundup to egypt@jadaliyya.com by Sunday night of every week.]
Regional and International Relations
Jordan`s King Abdullah II to Meet Egypt`s al-Sisi
The two leaders discussed the Israel-Palestinian crisis mainly. Click here to read Al-Shorouk’s report on the visit in Arabic.
Qatar Should Support Egypt`s National Security: FM
Following Gulf States reconciliation with Qatar, Egypt’s Foreign Minister calls on Qatar to support Egypt’s national security policies, and also comments on the crisis in Libya.
Egypt, Cyprus Vow to Cooperate on Energy
Cyprus agrees to increase natural gas exports to Egypt, Mada Masr reports.
For History’s Sake, The Arab Peoples Have Revolted
Ibrahim Halawi writes on the impact Arab uprisings had on the regional geopolitical order of the Middle East.
Security
Egypt Court Declares Islamic State a Terrorist Group
The Islamic State designated as a terrorist organization in Egypt on Sunday.
With ISIS Allegiance Egypt’s Security Woes Worsen
Khaled Dawoud argues Ansar Bait al-Maqdis’ allegiance to the Islamic State makes the job harder on Egypt’s security forces to establish security in Sinai and other parts of the country.
Egypt Government to Plan Rafah Redevelopment
“Parts of Rafah along the border with the Gaza Strip were destroyed as part of the army`s anti-insurgency campaign.”
Three Dead in Attack and Islamist Protests in Egypt
Reuters reports.
Cabinet Passes “Terrorist Entities” Law
Omar Said offers a brief explanation of the newly passed law on the definition of terrorist entities in Egypt. This article is published in Arabic.
Matareya Protests Turn Deadly, But Elsewhere, `Islamic Revolution` Fails to Materialize
Mada Masr reports on the “Salafist Front” protests.
Dodging the Islamist Bullet
Passant Rabie analyzes the political position of the Nour Party amid calls for the “Islamic Revolution.”
Bracing for an Islamist Revolution
In anticipation for the “Islamic Revolution,” Mada Masr reports on the Muslim Brotherhood support for the Salafist Front’s calls for the 28 November protests. This article is published in Arabic.
28 November Salafist Front Protests for Men Only
Women banned from taking part of the Salafist Front upcoming protest.
Ajnad Misr Threatens Further Militant Attacks in Egypt: Video
“A video claimed to be published by the Egyptian Ajnad Misr militant group features footage of past attacks, promising more until Islamic rule is established,” Ahram Online reports.
Economy
EGPC Secures 1.5 Billion Dollars Syndicated Loan
Loans were secured from National Bank of Egypt, HSBC, and the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Mada Masr reports.
What Direction for the Egyptian Economy?
Ziad Bahaa El-Din examines three economy-related issues that need to be addressed in the March 2015 International Economic Development Conference. Click here to read the article in Arabic.
Egypt Hopes to Attract Ten to Twelve Billion Dollars at Investment Summit in March
Ahram Online reports.
Government to Issue Investment Regulations in Suez Canal Area by February
Consultants argue that the “bill regulating investment in the Suez Canal Area Development Project will be completed by February,”
Human Rights and Rule of Law
Q&A: A Guide to Mubarak`s Legal Status
Ayat al-Tawy explains the verdict of Mubarak’s acquittal.
Mubarak Cleared of All Charges, Including Conspiring to Kill Protesters
Mada Masr reports on Egyptians’ reactions to the Mubarak not guilty verdict.
In Egypt, The Verdict is Still Out
Nadine Marroushi writes, “Saturday’s verdict may have cleared Mubarak and others of murder charges for now, but if they were not complicit, who killed the 1,075 protesters in February 2011?”
Cairo Court Drops Case against Mubarak for Protester Deaths
Erin Cunningham writes on the court’s acquittal of former President Hosni Mubarak, his sons, interior minister, and six of his aids, and offers several reactions from rights organizations.
Egypt: “The Counterrevolution is at its Peak”
Al Jazeera writes on the impact Mubarak’s ruling has on uniting Egypt’s various social forces.
Egypt Cannot Move Backwards—Sisi on Mubarak’s Acquittal
Aswat Masriya reports on Mubarak’s acquittal and reflects on al-Sisi’s presidency statements on the professionalism and independence of the judicial system.
Transparency International Slams Mubarak`s Corruption Acquittal
“Anti-corruption organization describes Saturday`s ruling as a set-back for Egypt,” Ahram Online reports.
Militarizing Egypt`s Trials
Sonia Farid writes, “Given the number of secular activists currently serving jail sentences for breaching the controversial protest law, it is likely that military trials will become a new frontier they must now face in Egypt.”
Political Islam’s Fate in Egypt Lies in the Hands of the Courts
Youssef Auf reflects on the court’s role in undermining the Islamists, which is deepening political conflicts in the country.
Twenty-Six Brotherhood Figures Get Three Years in Jail for Insulting Court
“Defendants, including Mohamed Badie, chanted against court`s legitimacy in Sunday`s session.
Seventy-Eight Pro-Morsi Minors Jailed in Egypt`s Alexandria
The age of jailed minors range from fifteen to seventeen, Ahram Online reports.
Minors Caught Up in Political Turmoil
Mai Shams El-Din writes, “Rights groups claim over 1000 children have been detained in eighteen months.”
Gender and Sexuality
Selling Pleasure, Reaping Hardship
Omar Said writes on Egypt’s sex workers’ accounts.
A Rural Community Calls for an End to FGM
Ignacio Artaza argues, “Laws against female genital mutilation have been in place in Egypt for more than half a decade, but they need to be bolstered, so the practice ends and culprits are punished.”
Press and Media Freedoms
Censorship in Egypt: Online and Offline
Thomas Hughes and Emad Mubarak reflect on the evolution of state censorship of media outlets and the establishment of a system of self-censorship before the January 25 Revolution, and its return after 3 July 2013.
Egypt: News Websites and Alternative Voices
Article 19’s Mohamed al-Dahshan and Malicia Rouge publish a paper on freedom of speech available on online following the uprising/coup that led to Morsi’s removal on 3 July 2013. This paper is published in Arabic.
University Protests
Egypt`s Universities Protest Mubarak Verdict
Ahram Online reports on state university protests following Mubarak’s trial verdict. Click here to watch video of pro-Brotherhood protesters and revolutionaries chanting against the regime on Cairo University campus.
Egypt`s Azhar University Campus Under Police Control Ahead of 28 November Protests
Al-Azhar University board agrees for police presence on campus ahead of the 28 November Salafist Front protests.
Reports and Opinions
The Mubarak Verdict: A Firsthand Account [Photo Essay]
Jonathan Rashad offers a photo essay on Mubarak’s supporters following the verdict.
Egypt`s Interior Ministry Says `Brotherhood Infiltrated` Mubarak Verdict Protests
Ahram Online reports.
Mubarak`s Acquittal: What It Means for Egypt`s Revolution
Emad Shahin argues the Mubarak trial ruling may present an opportunity for an uprising against the regime.
Return to Tahrir: An Account of the Protest after the Mubarak Verdict
Alessandro Accorsi reports on the protests that erupted following the court’s ruling of Mubarak’s trial.
The Egyptian Protests You Will Not See in the News
Jared Malsin sheds light on pro-Muslim Brotherhood protests that are limited to local areas-- around Egypt’s major cities.
The Unpredictability of the November 28 Protests
Sarah al-Sirgany sheds light on the Salafist Front calls for protests on 28 November, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Nour Party’s reactions to the calls for protests.
Helwan Workers Suspend Strike due to Islamist Protest on Friday
Mada Masr reports.
A Uniting Union
Jano Charbel offers a comparative analysis between Tunisia’s labor federation and Egypt’s trade unions.
Egypt`s Secular Opposition Closes in on Salafist Nour Party
Gamal Essam El-Din writes, “Political forces say the ultraconservative party must be stopped from winning a majority in upcoming parliamentary polls.”
Fact-Finding Committee Puts Blame on Islamists for Rab’a Violence
Mada Masr reports.
Fact-Finding Committee on Post-Morsi Violence Recommends a Ban on Islamist Parties
Gamal Essam El-Din writes, “In a press conference to announce the final findings of a mandated committee looking into violence in Egypt post-July 2013, the head of the committee says its report should be the last mention of post-Morsi events.”
700 Bridges in Egypt Close to Collapse: Transport Official
“Government authority says seventy-five percent of Egyptian roads need maintenance, says efforts expanding to improve road infrastructure.”
Egypt Housing Project Talks Slowed by Arabtec Board Changes: Minister
Arabtec board member changes slow the one million housing units project in Egypt.
The Battle for Mohamed Mahmoud: Developing a Counter Narrative
Maged Mandour writes, “Even though the regime has the upper hand in material repression, it is far from invincible. Its Achilles heel is its ideological weakness, and the creation of a revolutionary mythology may be a first step in the long journey of dismantling its ideological base.”
Arabic
مبارك بريء جنائياً ومتهم سياسياً
Abdelrahman al-Toriri argues the independence of Egypt’s judicial system legally frees Mubarak, yet leaves him politically responsible for the killing of protesters during the eighteen-day uprising in January and February 2011.
حكم مبارك: ضربة جديدة لنظام العدالة في مصر
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights releases a statement on the Mubarak trial verdict. This statement in translated and published in English.
"الرئاسة" عن "قضية القرن": لا تعقيب على أحكام القضاء.. ومراجعة تعويضات أهالي الشهداء
Al-Shorouk reports on al-Sisi’s presidency’s statements on Mubarak’s “not guilty” verdict, which supports the judicial system and hints at compensating the families of the fallen victims of the eighteen-day uprising on 25 January.
نائب رئيس الوزراء في حكومة 30 يونيو: أهم معاركنا إسقاط الجمعية التأسيسية الأولى
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat interviews former Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Bahaa El-Din.
بعد ربع قرن من مقتله.. عمال الحديد والصلب يهتفون: عبد الحي لسة حي
Mustafa Bassiouny offers a historical background on strikes and protests of iron and steel workers since the 1970s.
25 نوفمبر الذى مر وكارثة العنف ضد النساء
Amr Hamzawy writes on the United Nations’ International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, and reflects on the Egyptian government’s negligence of the issue.
28 نوفمبر: الرابحون والخاسرون
Yasser Abdelaziz writes on winners and losers following the low-turnout of the 28 November Salafist Front calls for protests.
طارق غطاس: برلمان 2015 وشعبية الرئيس
Tarek Ghattas reflects on the sociopolitical dynamics surrounding the 2015 parliamentary elections and its relation with the popular support for al-Sisi.
هل استبدل النوبيّون العودة إلى أرضهم بالانفصال عن مصر الغموض يحيط بقانون تسليم المتّهمين الأجانب إلى بلادهم الخطاب الإعلامي بين مصر و«الجزيرة».. بين التغيُّر والمهنية يوميات "الأزهر".. الجامعة بين الحصار الأمني والغضب الطلابي جورج غالاوي يدعو لبناء تحالف دولي ضد "الديكتاتور المصري"
Enas Hamed writes, “The Nubian people in Egypt are demanding their rights to return to lands from which they have been displaced multiple times through history, while some consider that they might also start calling for secession.” This article is published in English.
Ahmed Fouad writes, “Egypt’s President Abdelfattah al-Sisi has issued another controversial law to repatriate non-Egyptians accused of committing crimes, drawing criticism that it might expand the president’s privileges over the judiciary power.” This article is published in English.
Mai Shams El-Din reflects on the ways in which Egyptian and Qatari media discourse would change in the wake of the Gulf States reconciliation with Qatar.
Amr Mohamed writes on the Student Against the Coup Movement in al-Azhar University.
George Galloway criticizes the current Egyptian regime’s oppression of the Muslim Brotherhood and calls the violent dispersal of the Rab’a sit-in a “massacre.” Click here to watch the video in English.
ماذا بعد تراجع الدعم الخليجى للاقتصاد المصرى؟
Omar al-Shaniti explores the ways in which the Egyptian government can resolve economic hurdles following Gulf States’ cut down on aid and economic support to Egypt.
كلمة السر.. قمة مصر الاقتصادية
Jano Charbel analyzes the political and economic conditions in the country following Morsi’s removal in the wake of the announcement of the date of the international economic development conference—expected to be held in mid-March 2015.
متعب بن عبد الله لـ («الشرق الأوسط»): استئصال الإرهاب في سوريا يستدعي إزاحة النظام الذي أوجده
Al-Sharq Al-Awsat interviews Saudi Arabia’s Minister of the National Guard Prince Muteb bin Abdullah who focuses on regional developments and calls for Egypt and Qatar’s reconciliation.
إطلاق المرحلة الثانية من حملة الكتابة المجتمعية لوثيقة حقوق المريض
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights announces the commencement of the second phase of Patient Rights Charter. This announcement is translated and published in English.
مشروع قانون التّأمين الصحيّ الجديد في مصر
Rami Galal writes, “New legislation has been proposed to revamp Egypt’s outdated and ill-functioning health insurance system and cover all Egyptians under one universal insurance umbrella.” This article is published in English.
مسرحيّة المحاكمة... محاربة الرجعيّة بالفنّ
Asmaa al-Ghoul writes, “Egyptian director Tariq al-Dweiri wrote the play “The Trial,” to show what the Egyptian street has come to after a revolution brought to power religious thought.” This article is published in English.
Recently on Jadaliyya Egypt
Q&A: The Mubarak Trial Verdict – What Just Happened?
Hossam Bahgat explains court ruling of Mubarak’s trial.
New Texts Out Now: Maha Abdelrahman, Egypt`s Long Revolution: Protest Movements and Uprisings
Jadaliyya interviews lecturer Maha Abdelrahman on publishing her latest book: “Egypt’s Long Revolution: Protest Movements and Uprisings.”
لم يكن في خطتنا أن ننتصر
Basem Zakaria al-Samraji analyzes the impact neoliberal policies have on lower and middle classes.