[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Egypt and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Egypt Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week`s roundup to egypt@jadaliyya.com by Sunday night of every week.]
Political Rights
Family of detained journalist Hesham Gaafar files assault complaints The family of detained journalist Hesham Gaafar submitted a complaint to the prosecutor general’s office on Tuesday, claiming a security officer physically assaulted him as he was returning from a court session on 12 September. According to Manar al-Tantawy, Gaafar’s wife, another complaint was submitted to prison authorities on Monday.
Egyptian businessman Salah Diab acquitted of unlicensed firearms charges A Giza criminal court has acquitted Salah Diab, a well-known businessman and the founder of Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper, and his son Tawfik Diab, of charges of possessing unlicensed firearms.
Irish-Egyptian Ibrahim Halawa Acquitted By Egypt Courts After Four-Year Imprisonment An Irish national who was arrested for his role in 2013 protests was acquitted on all charges after a four-year imprisonment, Wadi al-Natrun courts ruled Monday.
Targeting the Ultras: Why are security forces trying to erase the memory of the stands? Security forces arrested 150 Ahly Football Club fans from Borg al-Arab stadium in Alexandria on Saturday, the most recent incident in a pattern of detaining members of Egypt’s football fan associations. Thirty-two of those arrested during the match between Ahly and Tunisia’s Esperance have been held and charged, the remainder were released, according to Lawyer Mohamed Hafez.
Zamalek football fans given prison sentences over 2015 stadium clashes in Cairo A Cairo criminal court on Sunday sentenced three people to ten years in prison and five others to seven years for a range of crimes linked to the 2015 Air Defense Stadium clashes in Cairo.
Egypt`s committee to pardon youth prisoners preparing fourth list of candidates Egypt`s presidential committee to pardon youth prisoners has started preparing a fourth list of prisoners to be pardoned, committee member Karim al-Sakka told to Ahram Online on Sunday.
State Institutions to be Moved to the New Administrative Capital By the End of 2018: PM Egypt’s state institutions will be moved to the new administrative capital by the end of 2018, Prime Minister Sherif Ismail announced in press statements.
Former Leader of Muslim Brotherhood Mohamed Mahdi Akef Dies at 89 Former Leader of Muslim Brotherhood Mohamed Mahdi Akef died on Friday at the age of eighty-nine years old after a struggle with illness.
Salafis today and the question of withdrawing from politics The Alexandrian Salafi Dawah group and its political arm, the Nour Party, have struggled to fulfill their political and religious functions since 2013, despite their support for the military regime. Now the question of their withdrawal from politics is making a comeback.
Rafah under fire: Closed roads, a communications blackout and shortages of basic necessities “The city is on the brink of a food and medicine crisis … store shelves are laden with dust instead of food and other basic products. This is in addition to the complete electricity blackout and shortage in cooking gas cylinders, which, when found, are sold at exorbitant prices,” Ibrahim Wagih, a resident of Rafah’s Safa neighborhood, told Mada Masr.
Egypt court sentences 9 to death for killing bodyguard of former central bank governor A Giza criminal court sentenced on Sunday nine people to death for killing the bodyguard of then-governor of the Central Bank of Egypt Hesham Ramez in February 2013.
Egypt cabinet broadens legislation to strip citizenship from those convicted in crimes against state security The Egyptian cabinet approved on Wednesday an amendment to the law regulating citizenship that allows for the stripping citizenship from individuals who are convicted of membership in groups that aim to harm the country`s form of government or undermine the social, political and economic order by force or any other illegal means.
Egyptian parliament`s human rights committee begins `surprise visits` to police stations A delegation of Members of Parliament affiliated with the Egyptian parliament`s human rights committee began on Tuesday paying field visits to a number of police stations and prisons in Cairo and Giza.
Copts in Egyptian history textbooks since 1890 (Part 1): Are we asking the right questions? Over the past few years, we’ve been hearing recurring demands for the inclusion of Coptic history in textbooks, echoed in Pope Tawadros’s call to “teach Coptic history in schools.”
Economy
Egypt Ranks First in ‘Where to invest in Africa 2018’ List Egypt has replaced South Africa and made it to the top of “Where to invest in Africa in 2018” list released by the Rand Merchant Bank.
Cairo to expand project to formally recognise the city`s street vendors Cairo Governor Atef Abdel-Hamid has announced the expansion of a project started last month to legally recognize and regulate street vendors in Cairo neighborhoods.
The International Finance Corporation to Invest $150 Million in Agriculture in Egypt The International Finance Corporation has agreed to pump 150 million USD in direct investments in Egypt’s agriculture sector in partnership with the country’s private sector, Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr said in a statement on Saturday.
Uber to Launch Public Transport Service in Egypt: Minister Uber international is set to introduce its public bus services in Egypt soon, the Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr revealed in an interview on Wednesday.
Foreign Relations
Egypt at 72nd UN General Assembly: In global good graces? Arriving in New York on 17 September to take part in the seventy-second session of the United Nations General Assembly, this is the fourth General Assembly Sisi has attended since being vaulted to head of state in the aftermath of events of 2013.
Egypt`s Sisi holds bilateral talks with world leaders on sidelines of UN General Assembly Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi held talks on Tuesday with a number of head of states and senior international leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations’ General Assembly in New York, his office said.
Egypt`s Sisi discusses cooperation with World Bank president in New York Egypt`s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met with World Bank chief Jim Yong Kim in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings to discuss cooperation between Egypt and the bank, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.
Sisi calls for US-Egypt free trade zone in mtg with US Chamber of Commerce Egypt`s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi attended a luncheon organized by the United States’ Chamber of Commerce and the US-Egypt Business Council in New York on Monday, where he advocated a free trade agreement between the two countries.
US to Consider Restoring Halted Military Aid to Egypt: Trump The United States will consider resuming its suspended military aid to Egypt, president Donald Trump said on Wednesday.
Egypt is the lynchpin of stability in the Middle East: White House The US White House issued a statement on Friday describing Egypt as the "lynchpin of stability in the Middle East" and affirming support for its efforts to achieve peace and security in the region.
Trump lauds Egypt`s efforts to revive ME peace process in meeting with Sisi US President Donald Trump praised Egypt’s efforts in attempting to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, a statement by the Egyptian presidency read on Wednesday.
AP: US State Department criticizes deteriorating human rights situation in Egypt The Associated Press news agency reported that the US State Department sent an official memorandum to Congress in August of this year, accusing the Egyptian government of failing to make progress on the protection of freedom of expression and minority rights, and permitting observers access to areas of conflict in Sinai.
UN peacekeeping missions not a substitute for role of governments: Egypt`s Sisi to Security Council The UN`s peacekeeping operations should not replace the role of governments in maintaining peace in conflict areas, Egypt`s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said during a speech in front of the UN Security Council on Wednesday.
Egypt`s Sisi stresses importance of reforming religious discourse to fight terrorism in Fox interview Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has renewed calls for reforming Islamic discourse, saying it is a key element in defeating terrorism.
Egypt`s Sisi asks Palestinians, Israelis to support steps towards peace The opportunity of peace should not be wasted, Egypt`s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi told Palestinians and Israelis during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.
American Jewish Committee lauds Egypt`s role in reviving Israel-Palestine peace process: Egypt`s FM The American-Jewish Committee, a leading Jewish advocacy group in the US, has praised Egypt’s efforts to revive the Israel-Palestine peace process, offering their support during a meeting on Saturday with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in New York.
Egypt`s PM strips 3 citizens of nationality for becoming Israeli citizens without permit Egypt`s Prime minister Sherif Ismail issued an order on Sunday revoking the nationality of three Egyptian citizens for taking Israeli citizenship without a permit.
International community must unite against supporters of terrorism: Egypt`s FM to anti-Daesh coalition Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Friday that the time has come for the international community to take a unified stance against all parties that provide political, economic and media support to terrorist organizations or offer them safe havens.
Egypt`s FM Shoukry expresses concern over delays in Ethiopia`s Renaissance Dam studies Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry told his Ethiopian counterpart Workneh Gebeyehu on Thursday that Egypt is concerned about the slow progress of technical studies on Ethiopia`s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Egyptian ministry said in a statement.
‘This is Egypt’ Wins UN Award For Best Tourism Promo Video in the Middle East The widely popular “This is Egypt” campaign was awarded the title of Best Tourism Promotional Video in the Middle East at the World Tourism Organization’s twenty-second General Assembly in China over the weekend.
Egypt is working on combating child marriage: Social solidarity minister Egypt is working with African nations to combat the phenomenon of early marriage for girls, Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali said on Monday in a meeting held with African and European ministers on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
New Japanese schools in Egypt open doors for students in October The first of a group of new Japanese schools in Egypt that adopt the whole child education system Tokkatsu will open doors to students in October, according to a spokesman of Egypt`s education minister.
Egypt chosen to be `the starting point` for reorganising Libyan army: Egyptian spox Egypt will be “the starting point” for reorganizing the Libyan army, the Egyptian military announced on Tuesday.
Egyptian, Russian paratroopers conclude Protectors of Friendship 2 joint military drills Egyptian and Russian paratroopers have concluded the "Protectors of Friendship 2" joint military drills, which started earlier this month in the Russian city of Novorossiysk and came within the framework of a joint military exercises plan between the armed forces of both countries, the Egyptian army spokesman said on Sunday.
Egypt’s navy raises flag on new `Al-Fateh` corvette in France The commander-in-chief of the Egyptian navy, Vice-Admiral Ahmed Khaled, raised the Egyptian flag on Friday aboard a French-made GOWIND corvette in France’s Lorient ahead of the vessel making its way to Egypt and joining its naval forces.
Latest-generation `Al-Fateh` corvette is testimony to strong France-Egypt relations: Naval Group CEO The CEO of the French company Naval Group, Herve Guillou, expressed his joy on Friday at delivering the first of four GOWIND corvettes to the Egyptian navy, saying that the handover “bolsters ties between the states of Egypt and France and between their navies.”
Domestic Security
Civilian deaths and postponed start to school year mark North Sinai conflict Several Arish residents were killed by armed militants last week in the midst of the ongoing security campaign carried out by Egyptian forces that began in August. Authorities in Rafah also announced on Saturday that the start of the academic year would be postponed for two weeks, as roads leading into the city remain closed.
From Jadaliyya Egypt
آخر أيّام المدينة - الجزء الثاني Abdullah AlBayyari examines the thematic significance of Tamer al Saad’s film, “In the Last Days of the City” by placing it in conversation with Benedict Anderson’s conceptual framework of the nation as an imagined community and Judith Butler’s theorization of identity as a continually constructed rather than stable mode of existence.
Arabic
»هذه مكاسب مصر من مشاركة السيسي في أعمال «الأمم المتحدة The article reflects on Egypt`s agenda at the UN meeting.
حماس والقاهرة «تقارب بعد عداوة».. اتهامات الإرهاب تتحول إلى تعاون أمني After nearly six-year tensions between Egypt and Hamas, relations between both parties began to improve as Fatah and Hamas moved to reconcile.
السيسي ونتنياهو مقابلة علنية لأول مرة .. ماذا خلف اللقاء؟ The article examines Sisi`s first public meeting with Netanyahu in New York in the margins of the UN plenary sessions.
لهذه الأسباب.. العزوف سيد الموقف في الانتخابات الرئاسية المقبلة As presidential election approaches, Egyptians shy away from the political scene demonstrating how much oppressive the Egyptian regime has become.
الحصانة للأجانب والمحاكمات العسكرية للمصريين.. كيف تحولت مصر لجنة «السياح المجرمين»؟ Unlike Egyptians who are tried before military court, foreigners flee prosecution over corrupt practices in Egypt.
المكفوفون في الزنازين.. وقائع العتمة في ظلمات السجون المصرية Incarcerated blind people are ill-treated by authorities, raising alarm of the continued human rights abuses in Egyptian prisons across the country.
الوراق.. من مطامع "جيل المستقبل" للوادر الهيئة الهندسية Disputes over ownership of Al Waraq island between big farmers, the government and residents demonstrate a costly investment policies over the control of the Nile islands.
بالمستندات | قرار رسمي بوقف التعامل على الجزر النيلية في القاهرة والجيزة The Armed Forces Engineering Authority issued a decree to suspend engagement with land registry over Al Waraq lands following the clashes that erupted between government forces and residents in last June.
تأجيل دعوى سحب النياشين والأوسمة من «مرسي» إلى 8 نوفمبر لتقديم المستندات Cairo Court for Urgent Matters adjourned an appeal to withdraw national merits from ousted president Morsi to 8 November.
يوميات ضابط شرطة في زمن حبيب العادلي The article reviews a book written by a former officer in the Interior Ministry under a nickname, telling how the ministry operated under former minister Habib el-Adly.
قضاة وقانونيون يفندون مشروع الحكومة لتعديل قانون «إسقاط الجنسية» The Cabinet`s proposed amendments to the law on withdrawal and deprivation of nationality sparked controversy among judges and jurists criticizing the cabinet`s inadmissible jurisdiction to issue such decree.
بالصور| كيف وصفت الصحف والكتب رؤساء مصر من مبارك للسيسي؟ The article revisits Egyptian presidents` images in newspapers and the embedded obsession with maintaining the cult of the leader.
بالمستندات.. إهدار للمال العام بوزارة التموين A lawsuit was filed against the Minister of Supply over wasting public budget.
لوفر أبو ظبي» يعمق أزمة الآثار المصرية المنهوبة« The Louvre Abu Dhabi slated to open on 11 November sparks controversy in Egypt over the country`s looted antiquities and the needed measures to be taken to recover its stolen heritage.
إخلاء سبيل 24 من شباب النوبة في قضية "مسيرة الدفوف" بكفالة ألف جنيه Aswan Court ordered the release on bail of twenty-four Nubians detained over illegal protest.
قانون الفتوى».. محاولة للتنظيم أم للسيطرة؟« Uproar in Egypt over controversial fatwas brought back calls for the need to regulate and control fatwas law.
الدولة والباعة الجائلون.. بين تجميل الشوارع وتجميل وجه النظام The article looks at street vendors struggle to make a living amid the state policy between cooptation and confrontation.
الإخوان» تُحمل الدولة مسؤولية وفاة عاكف.. والداخلية: وفرنا له رعاية طبية متميزة« The Muslim Brotherhood threatens the Egyptian state with reprisals over the death of former leader Mahdi Akef in prison on Friday.
كل ما نعرفه عن إمبراطورية «الجيش المصري» الاقتصادية The article examines the complex system of military control over the economy in Egypt.