Tag Archives: middle-east

Understanding Sukuk

Posted on April 13, 2013 by nervana111

(Photo, Grand Sheik of al-Azhar: Egypt Independent) In an effort to develop Islamic alternatives to conventional investments, Muslim scholars have advocated new economical instruments, which fit with Sharia prohibition of usury and encouragement of shared risks. Islamic banking is growing, not … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Islam | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Egyptian Aak (Week 11): When Fecklessness is An Attitude.

Posted on March 16, 2013 by nervana111

(Bakers protest in front of Ministry of Supply via  Elijah Zarwan) Main Headlines Monday Shura Council seeks way out of electoral law stalemate ‪Qatar says no more aid to Egypt for now Egyptian Copt dies in Libyan detention Police in Giza, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Egyptian Aak: Week 10

Posted on March 10, 2013 by nervana111

(Egyptian riot police, Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany) Main Headlines Monday Thousands attend funeral in Port Said, and chant against the Brotherhood. Judge ruling in Mubarak’s retrial to step down. Comedian Bassem Youssef charged (again) with defaming Morsy. Foreign reserve continues … Continue reading →

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Egyptian Aak: Week 8

Posted on February 24, 2013 by nervana111

(Protesters outside of prosecutor-general office Feb 22 by Mai Shaheen. Ahram online)  Monday Constitutional court rejects election law. Al-Nour party advisors leave posts in strange circumstances. Protests freeze Port Said work for second day Israel proposes alternative to Suez Canal.‪ As … Continue reading →

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Egyptian Aak: Week 6

Posted on February 9, 2013 by nervana111

(Anti-sexual harassment march in Cairo 6th of February. Twitter via @_amroali) Main Headlines  Monday Activist dies following three days of torture in police custody. Signature campaign demands the departure of President Morsi. Egypt’s central bank tightens the pound ‘s trading band … Continue reading →

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt, Iran | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Will Egypt Reach a Consensus?

Posted on February 1, 2013 by nervana111

This piece initially published in Al-Monitor There was something almost ecstatic about Egypt during its uprising against Mubarak. A nation that was once dismissed as old and submissive had risen up against its dictator and managed to do it in style. … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Surreal Anniversary: Photo Essay

Posted on January 25, 2013 by nervana111

This is a collection of photos from Egypt, from  various sources, as the country mark the second anniversary of its revolution.  To me, it was a surreal, poignant, and sad event. These photos powerfully reflects what is good and also … Continue reading →

Posted in Egypt, Photo Essay | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Egyptian Aak: Week 3

Posted on January 20, 2013 by nervana111

(Photo, Al-ahram online) Monday EU offers Egypt 5 billion euros to support economy and democratic transition. Egypt’s stock market finished trading in the red, battered by political and economic uncertainty. New cemetery endangers Egypt’s ancient necropolis. Imams protest brotherhood influence … Continue reading →

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Egyptian Aak: Episode One

Posted on January 5, 2013 by nervana111

Presidential adviser for foreign affairs, Essam el-Haddad (Egypt’s real FM)  in UAE after arrest of “Brotherhood cell.” courtesy AlArabyia   Here is the first episode of my diary. As I wrote last week, ‘Aak’ is an Egyptian term that describes a messy situation.  Tuesday … Continue reading →

Posted in Diary of Aak, Egypt | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Israel Already Deals With Hamas

Posted on January 2, 2013 by nervana111

I wrote this piece for  The Daily Beast’s Open Zion Here is a copy, in case you missed it. As the debate about the potential nomination of Chuck Hagel as the next U.S. Secretary of Defense becomes increasingly heated, many have expressed their … Continue reading →

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