[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
The Blasphemy Brigade
Michael Wahid Hanna writes, “Saudi and Egyptian officials walked arm in arm with the unity marchers in Paris. But the blasphemy laws they’re happy to push at home are hypocritical, cynical, and dangerous.”
Egypt Urges West to Provide Military Support to Tackle Islamic Extremists
Mativa Stevis writes that after Egypt’s foreign minister Sameh Shoukry’s participation in the Charlie Hebdo march in Paris on Sunday, he called on western powers to support Egypt in its fight against terrorism.
UK Brushes off Human Rights Controversy to Promote Business with Egypt
Ben Bryant writes on the United Kingdom’s interests in establishing “practical partnerships” with Egypt despite the country’s human rights record. Click here to read Ahram Online’s report on this topic.
John Baird Flies to Egypt to Seek Mohamed Fahmy`s Release
Canada’s foreign minister John Baird landed in Egypt on Monday to meet with his counterpart to negotiate the release of Al Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy, who holds a Canadian passport.
Egypt Rejects Ethiopia Dam Storage Capacity
“Egypt`s irrigation ministry says the current capacity of the Renaissance Dam will negatively affect its water share.”
Human Rights and Legal Institutions
Is Egypt Verdict a Victory for LGBT Rights?
Sarah al-Sirgany writes, “An Egyptian court shocked many by acquitting twenty-six men accused of indecency and debauchery in a high-profile case made infamous by a journalist widely regarded as unethical.”
Four Muslim Brotherhood Supporters Sentenced to Maximum Security Prison, Fifty-three others Acquitted
Aswat Masriya reports.
Egypt: Three-Year Sentence for Atheist
Human Rights Watch condemns the sentencing of an atheist to three years in prison.
Stalled Reform in Egyptian Journalist Syndicate: A Sign of Larger Media Malaise
Marier Berger examines the impact of the January 25 Revolution on the Egyptian Journalist Syndicates’ practices.
Activist Banned from Traveling to Germany – Airport Sources
Esraa Abdelfattah is banned from traveling outside Egypt.
Egypt`s High Court Overturns Last Conviction against Mubarak
An appeals court ordered a retrial of Mubarak in the embezzlement case, in which he was sentenced to three years in prison last year.
Four Egyptians Accused of Spying for Al-Qaeda Face Death Penalty
Al-Sayyed Gamal El-Din writes, “The Grand Mufti reviews the court`s capital punishment decisions before judges issue final ruling.”
Egypt Court Clears Men Accused of Bathhouse `Debauchery`
BBC reports.
Economy
Signs of Investor Optimism in Egypt
Alfred Jasins analyzes Egypt’s economy in light of the country’s stock market index increase in 2014.
Half of Egypt`s Population Lives in Slums: Minister
Ahram Online reports that the government has earmarked ten billion dollars for the development of informal areas in Egypt.
Government to Launch Four-year Investment, Development Program at Economic Summit: Mehleb
Mohamed Ayyad writes, “New investment law gives legal authority to GAFI to approve and facilitate project implementation, bankruptcy law ensures a safe exit for investors, says prime minister.”
Egypt`s Sisi Scores Early Success with Smart Cards for Bread Subsidies
Maggie Fick writes on the public’s reaction to the smart card system for bread subsidies that al-Sisi has established.
Parliamentary Elections
Factbox: Gearing up for Egypt’s Parliamentary Elections
EgyptSource releases a comprehensive Q&A on the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Sisi to Resume Meetings with Political Parties for Second Day
“Talks are the first of their kind since President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi took office last year,” Ahram Online reports.
Committee Sets Rules for Media Coverage of Elections
The Supreme Electoral Committee’s rules include: refraining from asking voters who they will vote for, conducting polls and surveys, maintaining objectivity, and avoiding using vague designations.
Higher Elections Committee Announces Campaign Regulations
According to the Committee, “Each candidate is permitted to raise up to 500,000 Egyptian pounds in the first phase scheduled for March, and up to 200,000 Egyptian pounds for the second phase in April.”
Carter Center’s Decision Not to Observe Egypt’s Parliamentary Elections Unchanged—Program Director
Yasmin al-Demirdash reports on the Carter Center’s decision not to observe the upcoming parliamentary elections. This decision comes after the Center’s closure of its offices in Egypt in October 2014.
Reports and Opinions
As Charlie Hebdo Ups Print Run, Egypt to Ban Foreign Publications Insulting Religion
Joel Gulhane examines the underlying reasons for the state’s ban on foreign publications insulting religion.
Abu Hasira: Between Religious Intolerance and Political Squabbles
Sonia Farid explains the Abu Hasira Festival, a Jewish festival celebrated in Egypt that was permanently canceled by a court order in December 2014.
Arab Dictators: Between Tactical Brilliance and Strategic Stupidity
Maged Mandour writes, “The Arab World is becoming increasingly unstable and the current elites are using severe coercion to remain in power. However, the use of coercion will lead to instability, as the opposition becomes more radicalized and prone to violence.”
The Egyptian Lesson: How to Strengthen Student Opposition
Amro Ali writes, “In a country choked with ironies, the Egyptian regime might just be building up the new student opposition that it is trying to eliminate.”
Egypt`s Deep State Gets Back to Business
Ahmed Aboulenein writes, “Hosni Mubarak`s acquittal is the crowning moment of eighteen months in which the military regime regrouped and took back Egypt.
Mahalla Textile Workers’ Strike Enters Second Day
Adham Youssef writes, “Approximately 7,000 workers at the Holding Company for Cotton Spinning and Weaving in Mahalla started a strike Tuesday, demanding an immediate restructuring of the company’s leadership.”
What Now for Egypt`s Christians?
Shahira Amin reports, “President al-Sisi has called for unity between Muslims and Christians but Egypt’s Coptic minority is yet to witness security and stability.”
Al-Sisi Moves on Banning Foreign Publications Offensive to Religion
“President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has issued a decree giving Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab the power to ban any foreign publication offensive to religion,” Ahram Online reports.
Conscript Arrested for Attempting Sexual Assault in Hurghada
Al-Masry Al-Yawm reports, “Red Sea security services arrested on Sunday a conscript for attempting sexual assault against a woman in Hurghada.”
Classified Report reveals State Security`s Take on Jan 25 Revolution
Mostafa Mohie discusses a report written at the end of February 2011, describing the events between 25 January and 11 February 2011.
Arabic
أساطير اقتصادية.. مشكلة مصر هى الفساد
Arm Adly examines the impact of corruption on Egypt’s economy.
سيناء.. ما يعرفه الجميع وينكره الجميع
Tamer Abu Arab analyzes the state’s security operations in Sinai.
النيابة تتقدم بأحراز جديدة في قضية «مجلس الشورى».. والدفاع يتهمها بالتزوير
Mostafa Mohie details new developments in the “Cabinet”.
القرارات الأخيرة بالمنع من السفر وسيلة للتنكيل بمدافعين ومدافعات عن الديمقراطية وانتهاك جسيم للدستور
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights releases a statement on the recent travel bans issued on three activists.
قرار تأسيس "المجلس الأعلى للأمن السيبراني" يثير هواجس بشأن مراقبة الانترنت
Amr Abdel Atty writes, “Egypt has launched a new cybersecurity division to protect its ministries and institutions from cyberattacks, but some political groups and activists are concerned it might also be used to curtail speech and monitor their online activities.” This article is also published in English.
غياب الرقابة وتقنين المخالفات يزيدان حجم الفساد في مصر
Enas Hamed writes, “Corruption in Egypt is still increasing, despite the January 25 Revolution`s call for a better society, mainly due to a lack of oversight by concerned parties and government organizations.”
الحكي الإلكترونيّ" وسيلة النساء المصريّات للتغريد عن تجاربهنّ مع التحرّش الجنسيّ
Ayah Aman writes, “With Egyptian police turning a blind eye to incidents of sexual harassment, women are taking the initiative to expose sexual harassers online.” This article is published in English.
الإخوان والعسكر في ذكرى 25 يناير
Ali al-Raggal analyzes the regional and international support that the current regime gained following the 3 July 2013 coup, and focuses on the impact that the state’s crackdown has had on the Muslim Brotherhood.
«السعودية تحذر من كتب سيد قطب و حسن البنا: رموز للجماعات «المتطرفة
Saudi Arabia warns against the books of Sayyed Qutb and Hassan al-Bana — describing such books as “symbols of extremist groups.”
الأوقاف تجدد تحذيرها من "المخططات الآثمة لجماعة الإخوان" في 25 يناير
Ministry of Endowments warns against the Muslim Brotherhood’s “sinful plots” on 25 January.
عودة الفلاح إلى "وسية الباشا".. لا كرامة للقطن في وطنه
Mohamed Nabil Hilmi, Karim Shafiq, and Alaa Shibil analyze the impact of the removal of cotton subsidies on farmers.
البابا تواضروس الثاني يستقبل الرئيس الفلسطيني في الكاتدرائية المرقسية
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas meets Pope Tawadros II.
وزير البترول عن استيراد الغاز من إسرائيل: «كل شيء وارد
Petroleum Minister says all options are open after reports have surfaced that Egypt is to import oil from Israel.
الدولة والجيش يعيدان الاستقرار لسيناء .. الرئيس : اهتمام كبير بتنمية المناطق المهملة
In a meeting with heads of political parties, al-Sisi promised that the state and the army are capable of restoring stability to Sinai.
"البناء والتنمية" يقاطع الانتخابات
Construction and Development Party, al-Jama’a al-Islamiya’s political arm, to boycott parliamentary elections.
دار الإفتاء "تحذر" من نشر شارلي إيبو عددا جديدا "مسيئاً للنبي" محمد
Dar al-Ifta condemns Charlie Hebdo’s new issue portraying the Prophet Mohamed.
"استمارات التوبة" تفتح باب الإفراج عن 50 ألف إخواني بالسجون
“Statements of Repentance” are being offered to Muslim Brotherhood prisoners with promises that they would be released from prison if they sign.
Recently on Jadaliyya Egypt
Stanford Event: Joel Beinin on Workers and Revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia (21 January 2015)
Jadaliyya Reports Page announces Joel Beinin’s presentation entitled: “Workers and Revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia,” to be delivered at Stanford University.