Category Archives: Islam

Turkey’s Erdogan and the Ankara bombing

Posted on October 21, 2015 by nervana111

Initially published in Egypt’s Ahram Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan You reap what you sow. There are many reasons behind the current polarised, divided Turkey, all of which can be traced to one man, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Indeed, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam, Middle East, Politics, Turkey | 2 Comments

Maryam Namazie and the Illiberal Student Union

Posted on September 27, 2015 by nervana111

The Warwick Students’ Union has barred human rights campaigner and leader of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, Maryam Namazie, from giving a talk on campus, because, they say, she is “highly inflammatory and could incite hatred.” Now a petition … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Islam | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The cultural challenges of the Syrian refugee crisis

Posted on September 19, 2015 by nervana111

Initially published in Egypt’s Ahram When refugees embark on the dangerous, often deadly, trip towards Europe, many of them are consciously aware that the price of settling in the Western world will include accepting different laws and ways of life. The … Continue reading →

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Egypt: Banning Salafist Nour Party may backfire

Posted on September 2, 2015 by nervana111

Initially published in Egypt’s Ahram A popular campaign in Egypt has been launched advocating the disbanding of religiously oriented parties. The campaign started generating support and has already gathered 4,000 signatures. The movement is now backed by Egypt’s Ministry of Endowments … Continue reading →

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New Controversy Rages around the Hijab in Egypt

Posted on May 12, 2015 by nervana111

( Dr.Ali Gomaa’s comments with English subtitles) The debate around Islamic headscarves (Hijab) and an Islamic dress code for women is still raging in Egypt. Sheikh Ali Gomaa, an internationally known Islamist jurist and Egypt’s ex-Grand Mufti (top interpreter of … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Diary of Aak, Egypt, Islam | Tagged , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Egypt’s heated religious debates

Posted on April 27, 2015 by nervana111

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

On Islam and Apostasy

Posted on March 20, 2015 by nervana111

Initially published in The What And The Why Syria 636 AD ___The Ghassanid Arab East Mediterranean Christian Kingdom and its King, Jabalah Ibn al-Aiham, faced a challenging ordeal after the Arab conquest. Should they stay Christians under the new Muslim rule … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Egypt, Islam | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Egyptian Courts Take on FGM, But Can They Uproot the Practice Altogether?

Posted on January 30, 2015 by nervana111

I wrote this piece for the Harvard Journal of Middle East Politics and policy, hope you enjoy it. (Victim of FGM, 13-year-old Egyptian girl Suhair al-Bataa- Photo via AP) In a landmark verdict handed down last Monday, an Egyptian doctor was convicted … Continue reading →

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt, Islam, Middle East, Politics | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Egyptian Aak 2015 – Week 3 ( Jan 12 – 18)

Posted on January 18, 2015 by nervana111

(Egypt’s best known actress. May 27, 1931 – January 17, 2015) Main Headlines  Monday A Libya affiliate of ISIS has claimed the abduction of 21 Coptic Christians Court acquits 26 men in “gay bathhouse” case Egyptian security  arrests ISIS cell that … Continue reading →

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt, Islam | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Muslims and Charlie Hebdo

Posted on January 16, 2015 by nervana111

( Photo via Twitter) A depiction of the Prophet Mohammed crying and holding a “Je suis Charlie” sign under the words, “Tout Est Pardonné” (“All is forgiven.”) on the new cover of the French satire magazine Charlie Hebdo is ironically, … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Read, Islam, Middle East, Politics, Turkey | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments