The Middle-East Observer
Egyptian elections
Debate: Egypt’s road to democracy: Uncertainty after ban on presidential candidates
Guests: Ahmed Naguib, Spokesperson for the Trustees Council of the Revolution and member of the Egyptian Tayyar party; Myra Daridan, Egyptian author and researcher; Alain Gresh, Deputy Director, Le Monde Diplomatique. France 24, France Part 1: Egypt’s road to democracy: Uncertainty after ban on presidential candidates Part 1 Part 2: Egypt’s road to democracy: Uncertainty after … Continue reading
Calls for strike divide Egypt as Muslim Brotherhood snubs government
Religious authorities in Egypt are calling on unions and youth groups across the country for a boycott of the strike that is planned for Saturday February 11. Egyptian protesters are planning mass walkouts and civil disobedience to demand a quicker transfer of power from the SCAF military rule to a civilian rule. Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayib, Grand Imam of … Continue reading
Egypt PM defends action against NGOs
After recent threats by the United States to cut the annual 1.3bn dollars aid if Egypt doesn’t stop the crackdown on american NGOs, Kamal el-Ganzouri, Egypt’s military-backed prime minister said that they won’t quit over pressure from Western countries. There are currently 19 Americans and 24 others on trial , being accused of illegally using foreign money to support unrest in … Continue reading
Amr Moussa’s vision for Egypt could upset military
Former Arab League secretary-general Amr Moussa is a top contender for the presidential seat in Egypt’s new-found democracy. In a recent interview, he said that the military, under his leadership, would be one of the basic institutions in Egypt and not a separate one with its own rules which the military has enjoyed under Mubarak’s regime. He … Continue reading
Focus: Egypt’s Salafist surge
In a matter of months, Egypt’s ultra-conservative Salafists have beaten a path from marginalised religious sect to major political force. But what do we know about them, aside from their heavily religious roots? France24, France
Scorecard: Egypt since the revolution
Egypt’s revolution came to life on January 25th, 2011 and since then the military generals of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces have been the de facto rulers of Egypt. Egyptian protesters had many demands that had to be met quickly by the military after the toppling of former president Hosni Mubarak currently on … Continue reading
Islamists win 70% of Egypt People’s Assembly party list seats
Egypt’s electoral commission has published the final results of the first parliamentarian elections in the country since the ousting of President Mubarak. Islamist parties received, as a whole, account for 70% of the People’s Assembly. The Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), party of the Muslim Brotherhood, secured 38% of the seats. The Salafist Al Nour … Continue reading
Egypt’s transition to democracy grows more messy
Mohammed ElBaradei’s decision to pullout of the presidential race in Egypt came to some as a surprise while others believe it is a calculated move to discredit the political process for it’s disordely and fast pace. The Nobel Peace prize laureate made harsh criticism aimed at SCAF’s generals during Saturday’s announcement. In his withdrawal statement, … Continue reading
Debate: Egypt’s Islamists: Threat or opportunity?
As Islamist parties emerge from elections as the country’s leading political force, should Egyptians be concerned? Guests: Joshua Stacher, a professor of political science at Kent State University; Dia’a Rashwan, al-Ahram Center for Strategic Studies; and Dr Sherif El-Haggan, a professor, AUC. Al Jazeera, Qatar
Analysis: Egypt’s triumphant Muslim Brotherhood eyes political credibility
Analysts say the Muslim Brotherhood is looking to show the world it’s credibility as Egypt’s leading party. After winning the majority of seats in the parliamentary elections, the Muslim Brotherhood wants to establish a coalition with other Egyptian parties. Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) chief Mohammed Mursi said “The party believes that all political powers … Continue reading
Al-Azhar sheikh proposes bill of rights for Egypt
In a move to reassure the nervous Christian minorities of Egypt, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the head of Al-Azhar, an institute of Islamic learning in the Sunni world, proposed a bill of rights for Egypt’s future constitution that would guarantee equal citizenship rights as well as freedom of religion. The institution has been working on the bill for the … Continue reading
Analysis: Political Islam Without Oil
Egypt’s Islamist parties – Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist Al Nour party – secured more than 60% of the seats in the country’s parliamentary elections. With the beginning of the first parliamentary session approching quickly, all eyes are turned on the Islamists and on how they will cope with the realities of Egypt, such as corruption, … Continue reading
Overtures to Egypt’s Islamists Reverse Longtime U.S. Policy
The Obama administration has embarked on a full-scale effort to “engage” with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. New York Times, United States Click here for the full story
Analysis: Egypt’s anti-Western future: Rhetoric or reality?
The American threats have sparked an outcry amongst Egypt’s conservative groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party. The FJP’s legal advisor, Ahmad Abu-Baraka, said on Sunday that the party will ask the newly-elected parliament to abolish the US aid, which he claimed “serves as a means to interfere with Egypt’s internal issues’; reportedly … Continue reading
Opinion: Egypt’s Salafi challenge
“We want democracy, but one constrained by God’s laws. Ruling without God’s laws is infidelity,” Yasser Burhami, the second leading figure in the Salafi Call Society (SCS) and its most charismatic leader, recently said. The unexpected rise of the Salafis in Egypt’s parliamentary election has fueled concern that the most populous Sunni Arab country could … Continue reading
Egyptians vote in final phase of landmark polls; Islamists have biggest share of seats
Egyptians were set to vote on Tuesday in the final round of a landmark post-revolution election that has propelled Islamist movements into the center stage of politics. Al Arabiya, Saudi Arabia Click here for the full story
Opinion: Fostering Political Change in Egypt
Egypt will not become a liberal democracy overnight. Washington is betting on the wrong horse in Cairo. The National Interest, United States Click here for the full story
Opinion: SCAF’s psychological warfare
SCAF is engaging in highly proficient psychological warfare, complete with leaked reports of a grand conspiracy concocted by “external elements” and their “internal allies” to ruin Egypt on none other than Jan. 25, 2012. The alleged plot aims to provoke confrontations between protesters and the army, to fuel chaos and civil strife to be used as … Continue reading
Egypt Islamists continue gains in 2nd round vote
Islamist parties have consolidated earlier gains in Egypt’s multistage parliamentary elections, winning nearly 70 percent of the seats determined so far, according to results announced Saturday. Associated Press, United States Click here for the full story
Egypt’s Islamists seek changes to Israel peace treaty
Egypt’s peace treaty with Salafi party stressed it will not work to revoke the agreement but will try to amend “its exploitative clauses” using all legitimate means. Ynetnews, Israel Click here for the full story
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