“Knowledge is light,” one poster said. Another read: “Sinai students defy terrorism.” These slogans have been posted all over the walls of schools in the town of El-Arish in the governorate of North Sinai, as the Egyptian Education Ministry tries to reassure parents about the ongoing security problems in the area. After more than two […]

When the New Valley Project was first launched in 1997, the Egyptian media described it as a new river delta in the south of the country, to match the Nile delta in the north. When the New Valley Project was first launched in 1997, the Egyptian media described it as a new river delta in […]

Sameh Abdel Kader, a young Nubian who used to work in the customs office and the timber trade, was fated to live in front of Manna Café, known among Alexandria’s intellectuals as al-Bawabeen Café. Sameh was not a writer, intellectual, or artist, but living near this café, he happened to become a customer. In the […]

According to my Facebook account, the first discussions between me and Khaled began on 20 December, 2013. Out of the blue, he asked me why a page that I used to prepare for one of the weeklies – covering the secrets of Egypt’s satellite networks – had been suspended. I told him that the magazine […]

The Egyptian government is using a 2002 law to demand that all non-governmental organizations, especially those active in human rights, to come under the umbrella of the Ministry of Social Solidarity by November 10, 2014. All organizations must become civil associations even if they are legally registered as companies with developmental or cultural aims. The […]

“A lot of people cursed you today,” Abdul-Rahman Alla told his army officer cousin as soon as he saw him. He had waited three hours to pass the toll gate on the Cairo-Ismailia desert road, which recently came under the administration of the army-run National Railways Company. “A lot of people cursed you today,” Abdul-Rahman […]

The people of the Nubariya, in the western part of Alexandria province, live in an unending human tragedy. They have homes but no basic facilities or services. There is no water, no electricity, and no sanitation, making inhabitants vulnerable to a number of serious health problems. Their lives have become a daily hell. The people […]

Following the decline of its power, Egypt’s political opposition has turned its attention increasingly to humanitarian issues. It now seems to be focussed on expressing a combination of desperation, frustration, and stubbornness – tempered with some hope. Following the decline of its power, Egypt’s political opposition has turned its attention increasingly to humanitarian issues. It […]

Thirty years ago, al-Qatawi sold one acre of his best land near the Abu Samiha village in Ismailia, after then President Hosni Mubarak advised the people in the Delta region to move from the narrow valley to Sinai, to reconstruct it and reclaim its land.  Al-Qatawi and tens of families came and lived in the […]

Suhair Abdul-Fadil can no longer stand on her feet.  It is almost 8:00 a.m. and finally the end of her night shift.  The 45-year-old nurse works at one of the government hospitals in Cairo in the reception area, with two other colleagues. Suhair Abdul-Fadil can no longer stand on her feet.  It is almost 8:00 […]