Editorial, Sectarian violence1 Comment

The Egyptian Inquisition

Women of Egypt

— By: Alexandra Kinias — The hopes of 24 years old school teacher Demiana Abdel-Nour to return home from self-exile were postponed indefinitely, on June 16, 2014, when the Egyptian appeals court upheld a blasphemy conviction against her and sentenced her to six months in prison, in addition to the earlier ruling that only imposed a fine of LE 100,000. Among the many challenges taking place in Egypt, the developments in Abdel-Nour’s case were sidelined by most Egyptian media. The young teachers’ nightmare started in May 2013, when parents of three of her pupils, accused her of insulting Islam and … Continue reading The Egyptian Inquisition

PoliticsLeave a comment

Why there will be no Third revolution in Egypt?

Women of Egypt

— By Said Sadek —– History is full of more unsuccessful uprisings and revolutions than successful ones. Inability to read the balance of powers, social-political and global situation always leads to failure: Here are the reasons why the planned uprising by the Muslim Brotherhood on the 3rd of July is going to be another failure. 1. The Brotherhood had failed during one year to mount any big demonstration or even a million to join any demo. 2. Reading the explosions in Itihadya as a sign that the Interior Ministry and Defense Establishment in Egypt are weak and conclude that the historical … Continue reading Why there will be no Third revolution in Egypt?

Veil, Women's RightsLeave a comment

The Virtual Revolution of Iranian Women

Women of Egypt

— By: Alexandra Kinias — In defiance to the rule of the Mullahs that hijacked their liberties and rights and has been keeping them hostage for the past 35 years, women in Iran have finally been given a global platform and an opportunity to share with the world their stolen moments of freedom. Thanks to the young exiled Iranian British journalist Masih Alinejad who created ‘My Stealthy Freedom’ [1], a Facebook page that became the voice for Iranian women to share their photos without their headscarves and to reveal their true sentiments about Hijab and how it has shaped their … Continue reading The Virtual Revolution of Iranian Women

Europe and Islam, Politics2 Comments

Changes

Women of Egypt

Article and photographs by: Bente Haarstad Published with author’s approval. Norway have changed a great deal the last years. The population has grown more than 10 percent in just a few years. Now we are 5.1 million people, 0.5 million more than in 2005. All this growth because of immigration, because Norwegians are like the rest of Western Europe, in decline. Immigrants now accounts for 15 percent of the population, in the capital Oslo, 31 percent, and for the third year in a row Muhammad is the most popular name for newborn boys. It used to be Per, or Ole. These photos … Continue reading Changes

Editorial, Politics3 Comments

Egypt’s cultural decline and the boiling frog theory

Women of Egypt

–By: Alexandra Kinias With the abhorring cultural decline in Egypt one can’t help but draw a correlation between such decline and the rise of radical or what became known as political Islam, that has swiped the country and already mutated into terrorism in the name of God. It is quite a thorny thought that on first impulse, may initiate fervor attacks and criticism from devout Muslims. However, it is not Islam that is under attack, but rather the actions of radical sheiks and religious scholars who have appointed themselves custodians of the faith; the neo-Islam. These fanatics believe that by … Continue reading Egypt’s cultural decline and the boiling frog theory

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The Power of the Pen

Women of Egypt

By: Alexandra Kinias — Original article published in Kalimat Magazine In June 2010, Yasmin Helal was attending a film festival in Cairo. Three children approached her asking for money. She had no change to give them, but Helal had three school bags in her car trunk that she was donating to a charitable organization. So instead of sending the kids away, she gave each a school bag. This simple act of goodness changed not just the children’s lives but Helal’s as well. The events of that night culminated with the young engineer quitting her job and founding Educate-Me, a non-governmental … Continue reading The Power of the Pen

Book review2 Comments

Hisham El Kheshen tells the story of the life and death of Adam Al Masry – Book Review

Women of Egypt

— By: Alexandra Kinias In the 2000s, the suicide of two Egyptian citizens in London shocked both the Egyptian community in the British capital and those living thousands of miles away back home. The most traumatic was the suicide of Soad Hosny, the diva,  beloved by millions all over the Middle East. The second was of Ashraf Marawan, the prompt businessman and son-in-law of the late president Nasser of Egypt. While Scotland Yard investigations ruled both cases as suicides, a lot of conspiracy theories were weaved by Egyptians that the deceased were both murdered. Speculations over the reasons of these … Continue reading Hisham El Kheshen tells the story of the life and death of Adam Al Masry – Book Review

Politics9 Comments

A New Dawn Rises Over Egypt

Women of Egypt

— By: Alexandra Kinias — I wonder why the decision by General Abdel Fattah El Sisi, the Egyptian Minister of Defense, to run for president came as a surprise to some. The reaction by those who are against his decision to run gives the impression that they were not anticipating it, in spite that he had indirectly mentioned it himself in one of his speeches. Their despair, criticism, skepticism and sarcasm made it sound that the political arena was filled with knights in silver armor, super heroes and action figures and that Sisi snatched it from them. Excuse me, but … Continue reading A New Dawn Rises Over Egypt

Editorial, Violence against women, Women's RightsLeave a comment

The Illusion of the International Women’s Day

Women of Egypt

  — By: Alexandra Kinias — The hype over the International Women’s Day [IWD] has subsided and men are free again to abuse and mistreat women for the next 364 days. I don’t mean to be satirical over this international event nor is my intention to undermine the global efforts to improve women’s conditions and status worldwide. Yet, I have mixed feelings regarding the dedication of certain days to celebrate one cause or another. And IWD is not exempt; not that I disregard the attention that celebrating this day brings to many women’s causes. Such celebrations remind me of a … Continue reading The Illusion of the International Women’s Day

Politics4 Comments

Why the Iranian Scenario Failed in Egypt? – Part III : Comparing the Revolutions

Women of Egypt

The Shah and Empress Farah Diba stayed for a week at the Oberoi Hotel in the winter resort town of Aswan. They attended state dinners and went sightseeing with President Sadat and the first lady. The Shah also met with the American President Gerald Ford who was on a Middle East tour. The small quite town of Aswan buzzed with journalists, reporters and photographers from all over the world. The despair and exhaustion were evident in the photos of the Iranian royals. The news that was coming from Iran was bleak and disturbing. With the events unfolding back home, it … Continue reading Why the Iranian Scenario Failed in Egypt? – Part III : Comparing the Revolutions