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Egypt: The myth of free education
Ever since Gamal Abdul Nasser first laid the cornerstone for granting every Egyptian the right to free education, we have enjoyed the “liberty” of so-called “free” education. Nasser had some ideals he wanted to achieve, and he did a lot for the poor and the oppressed – who have turned […]
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The Anatomy of Graffiti: Arab Spring Arts and Protests
Graffiti has flourished with the onset of Arab revolutions, recording the ebb and flow of uprising across city walls in inspiring murals that mimic the triumphs and disappointments in a people’s fight for freedom. Beyond graffiti, it is no secret that the arts and culture scene in Egypt and the […]
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Islamist-phobia in the Middle-East
No, you did not misread the headline. Stereotyping and prejudice against the politically ambitious Islamists within Arab countries creates friction among societies looking to move ahead. Representation is reality. People live a world of their own construct; their environment is mediated by images and representations of ‘the other’ that dictate […]
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How the absence of a vibrant Civil Society stands in the way of development in the Middle East
Civil society potentially has the power to force economic policies that change the world; but what if it’s barely keeping itself alive? Civil Society Organization laws in the Arab world are extremely restrictive, impeding the rights and powers of such organizations. A vibrant civil society arena is typically reflective of […]
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The curious case of press freedom in the new Egypt
A newspaper was confiscated, its chief editor on trial at the moment, another TV channel suspended, two other media outlets being judicially pursued for “defaming the president”, and regular columnists known to be critical of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood allege they have been banned from writing. The much-respected Committee to […]