Month: May 2013

Human Rights, Women Rights in Egypt2 Comments

Egyptian teacher Demiana Abdelnour is the new victim of blasphemy case

Women of Egypt

By: Alexandra Kinias — Defamation of religion is a phenomenon that is practiced in societies where religious extremism is rooted. In such societies, zealots condemn, prosecute and kill those who speak out against their faith, while giving themselves the license to do and say the exact same against other religions. With the rise of Islamists to power, Egypt is aggressively following in the footsteps of countries that have been labeled amongst the worse in human rights, freedom of expression and religion. The detention of 24-years old Coptic school teacher Demiana Abdelnour on May 8th is another reminder to where the … Continue reading Egyptian teacher Demiana Abdelnour is the new victim of blasphemy case

Violence against women1 Comment

Prayer leader; pedophile and murderer

Women of Egypt

By: Alexandra Kinias — While Egypt was celebrating Sham El Nassim, the national day the follows Easter Sunday, the family of Basmala was mourning their daughter’s death. The 8-years old had gone missing a couple of days earlier. She had gone to buy laundry detergent for her mother, but never came back. After an extensive search by the police and the neighbors, her body was found in a garbage dump close to where she lived. Even though a similar incident took place a couple of years earlier when another young girl went missing, no one had imagined that a pedophile … Continue reading Prayer leader; pedophile and murderer

Violence against women1 Comment

Are we forgetting how to be humans?

Women of Egypt

by: Alexandra Kinias — Three women who were abducted almost ten years ago in Cleveland, Ohio were finally reunited with their families after being able to escape they captivity. Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight and Georgina DeJesus were kidnapped between 2004 and 2007 by Ariel Castro and were held captive in his home since then. While in captivity, Berry gave birth to Castro’s child, a girl who is now six years old and who was delivered with the help of Knight. Confined within the walls of Castro’s 1400 sq-ft home, their only contact with the outside world was the television. As … Continue reading Are we forgetting how to be humans?

Uncategorized3 Comments

Egyptian Salafi preacher sentenced to jail for slandering an actress

Women of Egypt

By: Alexandra Kinias —- After his appeal was rejected earlier this week, Egyptian police arrested the hard line preacher and television anchor Abdullah Badr on the charges of slandering an actress. He was arrested after he refused to turn himself in, and will be serving one year in jail. Badr’s story dates back to 2012 when on his show, aired on Al-Hafiz TV, an ultra-conservative Salafi television, he referred to the famous Egyptian actress Elham Chahine as an infidel and a prostitute. He called her “promiscuous, naked and lascivious,” and condemned her movies as a source to women’s immorality and … Continue reading Egyptian Salafi preacher sentenced to jail for slandering an actress

Violence against women1 Comment

Carmen Blandin Tarleton’s Journey Through Hell

Women of Egypt

— By: Alexandra Kinias — Carmen Blandin Tarleton’s story is a tangible manifestation of human courage. Survivor of a heinous attack the doctors described as ‘the most horrific injury a human being could suffer’; she was finally able to go home with a new face. Carmen was the victim of her husband. The Vermont mother of two was maimed by her husband in 2007 when after a jealous spree; he broke into her home, beat her with a baseball bat, doused her with industrial strength- lye and left her to die, burning from the inside out. The crime changed her … Continue reading Carmen Blandin Tarleton’s Journey Through Hell