Fear for religious freedom

In the fall of 2012, three mothers, along with their infant children, begin serving one-to-two-year prison terms in Iran. Their crime? Being Baha'is in the birthplace of their faith. In February 2012, a man is jailed without charge in Saudi Arabia. Why? According to authorities, for his own safety because he allegedly "disturbed the public order" by tweeting comments deemed to insult the religious feelings of others. In December 2012, an atheist blogger is sentenced to three years in prison in Egypt. His offense? Posting online content that allegedly "insulted God and cast doubt on the books of the Abrahamic religions."

These are just some of the many examples of the contempt that governments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) often exhibit toward freedom of religion or belief. Since the onset of the Arab Awakening in early 2011, religious freedom conditions have not improved, but declined. While larger hopes for justice and democracy are experiencing convulsive birth pangs, majority and minority religious believers alike face increasing government repression in many MENA countries; sectarian violence is on the upswing; and violent religious extremism is fueling regional instability.

 

There are those who claim that the Islamization of Egyptian society reflects "the will of the people." But history teaches us that the "will of the people" is not always beneficial.

Egyptian identity, like so many others, made up of several layers, begins in Ancient Egypt, a civilization that flourished for nearly thirty centuries. Further layers derive from the Coptic Age, when Egypt in its entirety was an Eastern Christian society. Then there are countless layers from the Islamic and Arabic-speaking Egypt.

There are still more layers deriving from modern Egypt, the founder of which, Mohamed Ali, ruled from 1805 to 1848, and whose kingdom continued for over a century after his death.

Finally, there are the many layers produced by Egypt's geographical location as a Mediterranean society, more specifically, as an Eastern Mediterranean country with its opulent diverseness from trade.

This complex construct, which formed over millennia, the rich and multi-layered Egyptian identity – a product of fruitful interaction and cross-fertilization among different civilizations and cultures – is today in grave peril, facing as it does systematic and deliberate attempts to destroy its very essence as represented in the many layers that make up its variegated character.

Ever more fearful

Muslim Cleric Calls U.S. Aid to Egypt ‘Jizya’ (Infidel Tax)

مين العاقل فينا ؟؟..مين مجنون؟

بقلم هانى مراد

سمعت انهم يجرون هذا الاختبار لنزلاء مستشفى المجانين بعد فترة من علاجهم للتأكد ما إذا كانوا
إستعادوا عقلهم أم لا يزالون يحتاجون للعلاج.
فيدخلون المريض الى غرفة خالية بها صنبوراً يفتحونه فتمتلىء أرضية الغرفة بالمياه و يعطون
المريض "خيشة و جردل" لتجفيف الأرض.
فإذا ما قام المريض بمحاولة تجفيف الأرض مباشرة دون غلق الصنبور أولاً فهذا دليلاً و علامة على أن ذلك المريض لا يزال يحتاج للعلاج.
أما إذا قام أولاً بغلق الصنبور و بعدها استخدم " الخيشة و الجردل" فإن ذلك يدل على سلامته و حسن إدراكه للمشكلة.
و ما يحدث فى مصر يا سادة هو تجاهل لحقيقة ما يحدث أو عدم إدراك للمشكلة الحقيقية.
ما الفائدة أن نسترد أموال المصريين التى نهبها النظام السابق لتقع بين أيدى من ينهبها فى
النظام الجديد ؟؟

Media labels Arab Spring pro-democracy as Muslim Brotherhood fulfills jihadist vision

In late December 2010, the Tunisia uprising was sparked by a tragic public suicide-burning of a twenty-something street vender in an act of civil disobedience. Instantaneously, media commentary like wildfire around the world labeled this event “Arab Spring,” branding it the beginning of a struggle for democracy in the region. Correspondents in the tumultuous Middle East barraged the airwaves with the fast impression that this dreadful incident had value in leading to freedom in that part of the planet, and the image of this terrifying catalyst went viral.

Even those who know me well do not fully understand how my early childhood in Egypt shaped me into the spokesperson I am today. As an outcome of my upbringing, I am an avid fighter for free speech and openly expressive about the need for religious tolerance in society. I was born in Cairo, Egypt, into a Coptic Christian family during the time of King Farouk, just before his overthrow and replacement by President Nasser – a significant turning point for Islam and for Egypt which would influence my life forever.

Insight: Egypt's army tiptoes through democracy's minefield

Shake it, shake it baby!

Rana Allam 

On the long wait for Morsi’s interview, and the Harlem Shake!

We waited and waited, hour after hour for the airing of the President’s interview on TV, disgruntled at the disrespect the presidency insists on showing the Egyptian people. I personally waited until past midnight, then decided to sleep, which was in fact a good decision. I have work in the morning, like most Egyptians (those who still have jobs).

Our rulers work at night, though. They make statements and speeches and interviews after midnight. Announce decisions and presidential decrees and constitutional amendments on the wee hours of the morning. Pass constitutions at dawn.

Muslim Brotherhood accused of covering up torture 

Assad Elepty

Cairo: An Egyptian opposition group has accused the government of covering up torture at the hands of security forces.

The charge comes after a government forensic report claimed that 28-year-old activist Mohammed el-Gindy was killed in a car accident.

It contradicted family and friends, who say he died after he was electrocuted and beaten on his head repeatedly in detention earlier this month.