Monthly Archives: April 2015

Egypt’s heated religious debates

Last week, the privately owned Egyptian satellite channel Al-Qaherah wal Nas decided to pull the controversial talk show “With Islam” at Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh’s request. The show’s host, Islam al-Behery, is a controversial figure in Egypt because of his candid … Continue reading

Posted in Best Read, Egypt, Islam, June30, Middle East, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Egyptian Aak 2015 – Week 17 ( April 20 – 26)

Main Headlines  Monday Egypt the condemns killing of Ethiopian Christians by IS Court sentences 22 to death over Kerdasa violence Defense team: Morsi could receive death sentence in Tuesday’s verdict IED kills three policemen in North Sinai Bomb injures 6 … Continue reading

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Condemnation of the Adana Massacre (1909) by Shaykh al-Azhar Salim al-Bishri (d. 1916)

Originally posted on Ballandalus:
In April 1909, there was a major wave of massacres in the Cilician city of Adana (modern-day southern Turkey), in which over 20,000 Armenians were murdered and thousands of homes destroyed. Although these attacks on Armenian…

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Women with or without headscarves should be accepted and respected in Egypt

Initially published in Egypt’s Ahram A call by Egyptian journalist Cherif Choubachy for veiled Muslim women to take off their headscarves (hijab) has stirred widespread controversy in Egypt. Choubachy has also proposed a “take off the veil” rally to be held at … Continue reading

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Egyptian Aak 2015 – Week 16 ( April 13- 19)

Main Headlines  Monday Another Egyptian soldier is killed a day after deadly Sinai’s blast Mourners flock in Menoufia to funeral for soldier killed in North Sinai ‪ Egypt condemns Turkey’s comments on latest death sentences to Brotherhood leaders Egypt to … Continue reading

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Egypt and Working Mothers

 ( Photo of journalist Lamia Hamdin via Twitter) On the streets of Cairo, Lamia Hamdin, an Egyptian journalist for private Egypt station ON TV, was photographed holding her baby while doing interviews. The photos went viral on social media and … Continue reading

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Egyptian Aak 2015 – Week 15 ( April 6-12)

(Brotherhood’s Supreme Guide sentenced to death in Egypt – Photo via reuters) Main Headlines  Main Headlines  Monday Saudi journalist slams Egyptian protests against Yemen strikes Five injured in drive-by shooting at a church in Alexandria ‪ Founder of Islamist militant … Continue reading

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In Photos: The hidden beauty of Iran

Away from politics and  the intense debate of the Iran provisional nuclear agreement, here is some of my collection of  photos from my visit to this fascinating country. And yes, I  felt more comfortable outside Tehran  Shiraz:  Pink roses are particularly dominant in … Continue reading

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Egyptian Aak 2015 – Week 14 ( Mar 30 – April 5)

Al-Sisi says securing Yemen’s key strait a top priority, via Egypt Independent  Main Headlines  Monday PM: Egypt to inaugurate ‘new Suez Canal’ next August Policemen has been injured while defusing a bomb in Alexandria Egypt spends 30 % less on … Continue reading

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“New” Turkey has blocked my tweet

Yesterday, I received a notice of withholding from the Twitter legal team via e-mail. My understanding from the e-mail, which was written in Turkish, is that one of my tweets was banned in Turkey by a court ruling. Twitter gave … Continue reading

Posted in Best Read, Middle East, Turkey | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments