AUC Times by AUC Times

Note from the Editor have a world to win. - Marx and Engels We all have world waiting for us, and its time to reevaluate how we engage with that world. Our short time at AUC is meant to prepare

Editor in Chief

Head Copy Editor Sherin Sabry Lama Abdel Barr

Managing Editor Heba Bahnassy

Layout Editor Hadeel El Sayed

Politics Editor Sarrah Kassem

Faculty Advisors Mark Mikhael-English

rooms, it is about thought. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to push ourselves and look beyond

Culture Editor Mariam Matar Arts Editor Amenah Abouward Opinions Editor Jihad Abaza administration.

Photography Editor Nathalie Maher

March 13 4 6 10 14 16 18

JUST ANOTHER JOKE IN EGYPTIAN POLITICS: THE SHURA COUNCIL SHIFTING ECONOMIC POLICIES: EGYPTIAN LABOUR MOVEMENTS

CAPITALISM: CONSUMING OUR WAY TO EXTINCTION

A DAY IN THE LIFE: OUR TBS GUYS

EGYPT›S NECESSARY INFORMAL ECONOMY

20 24 28

THE TURKISH APPEAL

The AUC Times staff would like to extend a big thank Professor Sanaa Khabbar and Professor Mark Mikhael. would have been possible

BRIDGING THE GAP: BEN EZRA SYNAGOGUE

A REMINDER: PHOTOESSAY

OPINIONS

Politics

JUST ANOTHER JOKE IN EGYPTIAN POLITICS: THE SHURA COUNCIL By May Seoud

Politics It is somewhat ironic that politics in Egypt is still a topic that is widely written and read about, especially when it appears that its government is absent in the decision making process, its ministers appear to be more preoccupied with nonpolitical issues (like breast feeding), its politicians appear incapable of working together, a has constitution which less than 10% of the Egyptians approved, and a parliament that does not yet exist although several dates have been repeatedly set for elections. Although this list appears endless, one must not forget the Shura Council, a council which may just be the biggest joke of all Egyptian politics. Egyptians, if asked, will not be able to

Furthermore and sadly Al-Quasabi and

In addition, and to show that they are not

as well. Safwat Abdel-Ghani is -for those who are not familiar with the name- a man

about women made other very intelligent punished,

Yet, these endless stories about the even more interesting are the laws that are in Egypt, a law to regulate protests and

the moment to the degree that it started spending time on making laws to regulate non-governmental organizations. As for the

one need not mention that the majority of the members are in a way or another part of the Muslim Brotherhood, for example the famous Essam el Erian, Sobhy Saleh and

However the Brotherhood members are not

third law, the “Human Rights Committee” taking part in protests are to be blamed for

well. Rather, the problem appears to be

members should be banned from engaging Quasabi is not the only one in the Shura words, it was obviously not just a mistake, member was a former NDP member as

in Daily News Egypt. Neither did many know what Egyptian tax money is being spent on, but now we have gained a that a Human Rights Committee exists in

What is also worth mentioning at this point

assembly that wrote the very well written

as Abdel-Hadi Al-Quasabi who was a member of Mubarak›s NDP. Now the thing is, Abdel-Hadi Al-Quasabi himself is not the

that around half a billion is spent on the

these Islamists and thus at the end of the day, it appears that these Islamists are

does at all.

fearing that it might get dissolved

if this is against international laws that are

explained and advised women that in should either not go at all, or just protest

MANY EGYPTIANS DID NOT NECESSARILY HAVE AN IDEA WHAT THE SHURA COUNCIL DOES, OR THAT AROUND HALF A BILLION IS SPENT ON THE SHURA COUNCIL EVERY MONTH . NEITHER DID MANY KNOW WHAT EGYPTIAN TAX MONEY IS BEING SPENT ON, BUT NOW WE HAVE GAINED A CLEARER UNDERSTANDING.

but also Islamists. However, sadly enough Mervat Ebeid, again a female, agreed with what has been said and added that “women need to be more rational and not go to

Politics

SHIFTING ECONOMIC POLICIES: EGYPTIAN LABOUR MOVEMENTS By Maheen Hyder

Economic trajectories create political arrangements that help legitimize the ruling power. This is evident within the Egyptian political narrative, as over the years the state has formed nationalist-populist social pacts with labor movements to maintain the moral economy of the country. Structural readjustment programs and steps towards neo-liberal reform threatened this matrix of social relations and paved the way for the overthrow of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in early February 2011.

Followed by Mubarak’s strategy of adopting and neo-liberalization methods, a robust, labor opposition inevitably manifested itself on the street. A withdrawal from traditional in Egypt. They saw it as an erosion of

It was during this period that labor movement protests were at an all time high. Benin also points out that the highest estimate of the total number of study of Egypt’s workers and their strikes at Stanford, it was reported that during

labor struggles in Egypt, Joel Benin points of Mubarak signed an agreement with the

professionals.

established the framework for privatizing the Egyptian Trade Union Federation was Gamal Abdul Nasser initiated a widespread tenured employment- a key element of the understanding that they had with the regimeand instead suggested that they would be hired on a temporary basis and that the fate between Nasser and the laShibor workers. Nationalization under Nasser led to a rapid expansion of a heavily state-dominated form of import-substitution-industrialization (ISI). ISI was established in Egypt as a

The workers were subordinated to national interests and helped in the expansion of a

be evaluated on an individual basis. This in the labor market, a feature deemed

that was no longer working towards national

Serving the interests of the state and no long representing the needs of labor workers not only marginalized them but it also threatened their livelihoods. This led to a burgeoning

government would pave the way for mass uprisings that would result in the removal of Mubarak and his party from power only a few years later. It should be noted that under Nasser, when similar strikes would never be threatened in fear of goals and ultimately their own role in that prosperity. However, during the mobilization of labor movements under governments that propagated aggressive neo-liberal

labor movements weakened the robust state apparatus. In doing so, they provided the stepping-stones for mass-mobilization measures against the people, ultimately resulting in the overthrow of Mubarak in

Egypt. The Egyptian Trade Union Federation and liberalization at the forefront of the government’s agenda.

Trade Union Federation (ETUF) was

strong familial ties in the government that

The ETUF remained the dominant nominal representative of organized labor for many Nazif rose to power within the Egyptian

A WITHDRAWAL FROM TRADITIONAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITMENTS HAD PROFOUND EFFECTS ON THE LABOR MOVEMENTS IN EGYPT. THEY SAW IT AS AN EROSION OF THE COMFORTABLE PRIVILEGES THAT THE STATE CORPORATIST ECONOMY HAD PROMISED THEM. THEIR GRIEVANCES WERE ROOTED IN THE PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC SECTOR ENTERPRISES.

planning.

Politics

Reinterpreted by Hoor Al Awady original author unknown

WHY EGYPT SHOULD NOT ASK TO SIT WITH THE COOL KIDS By Nada Baraka

Egyptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been a constant news story for local and international media outlets. The loan was requested back in November 2011 by Mohamed Morsi whom at the time was yet to become president. Egypt had not appealed to the IMF since 1993, but nonetheless deliberations and negotiations over the $4.8 billion have been discussed between Egypt and now. What seems questionable about the issue is that Christine Lagarde, managing director of the IMF, has went on record saying that the loan is not nearly enough to cover Egyptian debt. So why go through all this trouble? The answer is simple. The International Monetary Fund is more than just an international investment. It is like being

the IMF in an area of bias, making its loans may seem, will be hard-hitting to Egypt. would not be asked to hang out with them unless you know someone from within, the same goes for the IMF. The IMF is one of the Bretton Woods institutions designed to

that was led by world powers, mainly the US and Britain, their hidden agenda was

relations of the US with President Morsi are somewhat shaky, although the US still insists on maintaining a good relation with Egypt as

on International Monetary Fund Condition

have to sell itself in the General Assembly of dangerous to play along in the game with

voted with the United States in the UN

who believe that vote buying in the United

was one of the most popular U.S.-supported resolutions, opposed by only eight other

entails further studies that have also found a high relationship between US relations and

of free markets, free trade, private enterprise determined their punishment, making it a two-way street of exploitation.

THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND IS MORE IT REPRESENTS AN ENTIRE NOTION OF SELFPROCLAIMING STATES AND INVITES FURRTHER INVESTMENT. IT IS LIKE BEING ASKED TO HANG OUT WITH THE COOL CROWD, ONLY AT A PRICE. FOR THE IMF, THE PRICE YOU HAVE TO PAY IS YOUR DEDICATION TO THE UNITED STATES IN MATTERS OF ITS FOREIGN POLICY.

terms of the IMF.

Politics

CAPITALISM: CONSUMING OUR WAY TO EXTINCTION By: Adham Shebl

A stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main function is to make sure that the mode of production is protected and perpetuated across the globe. As long as the mode of production is the capitalist engine of eco-destruction, mankind has no chance but to change that mode of production or prepare to face collapse, if not extinction. For the past couple of decades mitigating climate change has been a concern of the international community due to the risk it has on the globe; however, very little progress has been made in that department.

was the reason for the failure in mitigating

for legal pollution. Emissions trading is a system where a market in rights to pollute

the amounts of permits in the market. This

energy and hydro-power and by doing that understood as not defending the dominate to thrive.

will eventually make everything better by

Capitalists would argue that the only way for us to get the funds needed for maintaining growth and prosp

CAPITALISMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MAIN CONCERN IS INCREASING CONSUMPTION AND THIS IS THE SAD REALITY THAT SOME, ALMOST EVERYONE, REFUSES TO SEE. THE PROBLEM WE ARE FACING COULD BE SOLVED BY SIMPLY REDUCING OUR CONSUMPTION, BUT TO REDUCE CONSUMPTION OF GOODS THAT MEANS ONE ALSO HAS TO REDUCE PRODUCTION OF GOODS.

and this is the sad reality that some, almost everyone, refuses to see. The problem

will be able to eliminate emissions. Even if and means of transportation we just end

times the aluminum as someone in China. there is growth there would be development, but for them development means living the

may try to prioritize environmental issues

that the ruling elite wishes to spread and as that even if everyone on this planet started One must perhaps take a moment and remember that when we were younger our plates during a meal. That was not meant to

Culture

VALENTINES DAY: by Safeya Zeitoun

Culture

If you ask a stranger on the streets of Cairo when “Eid el-Hob” (the holiday of love) is, his immediate response will be “February 14th, Valentine’s Day.” Valentines is the time of year when gift-shops are bursting with red displays and streets. It’s when we see couples walking along the Nile Korniche, exchanging with the generic ‘I love you’. The more extravagant couple, moves onto the category of jewellery, expensive dinners sions. Is this really the way love should be celebrated in Egypt?

inspiration behind it, is very different from our modern understanding of Valentine’s

surprisingly, though, it was not intended to love. to our girl or boyfriends or spouses. Amin wanted to emphasise love for our families,

imported the Western tradition of Valentine’s. turn over a new leaf where you stop buying Day). Just don’t forget to love and very differently. of an old man. Only three people were at the

‘EID EL-HOB’ IS A HOLIDAY THAT IS SLOWLY BECOMING EXTINCT, ONLY TO BE REPLACED BY A LESS GENUINE WESTERNISED VERSION. THERE ARE PARTS OF EGYPTIAN CULTURE THAT WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. OUR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT OUR CULTURE TAKES AWAY FROM OUR IDENTITY AS EGYPTIANS.

‘Eid el-Hob’ is a holiday that is slowly a less genuine westernised version. There

Egyptians. Maybe this year on November family, friends and neighbours. Maybe we an old man who kept to himself and loved no one, and was loved by no one. As a result of the old man’s poor fortune, Amin took it upon himself to dub one day out of the year as “Eid el-Hob.”

Culture

A DAY IN THE LIFE: OUR TBS GUYS BY NADINE AWADALLA

We all have certain things that we love about TBS: the freshly baked pastries, the perfect location in HUSS, the cozy and rustic feel of the store, the hilarious staff, or all of these things combined. But this wouldn’t be much of a story if I were here to tell you about pastries, so allow me to tell you a story about the men who bring you all the things that you love about TBS. Let’s take a walk in the shoes of our TBS team.

shop. Despite living the farthest away, he’s always there the earliest and is the affable ‘morning-person’ of the group. He’ll bustle around preparing before everyone else arrives, tidying up little things here and there

They don’t get another break till later into the evening, when most AUC-ians and professors have gone home or are holed up

revise their inventory and sales, and try to met the day’s goals. When everything is put in order, they begin preparing for the next day in order to minimize the hassle in the

when you’re as ambitious as the TBS guys eyes on the prize. Ahmad lays down their

Early mornings, relatively late nights and freshness, are part of a mighty job

THEY LOVE THE ATMOSPHERE AT AUC AND ENJOY WORKING WITH THE STUDENTS MORE THAN ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE STUDENTS’ SPIRITS. THEY FEEL LIKE THEY’RE BAKING AND MAKING COFFEE FOR A THEY LOVE IT WHEN THE STUDENTS WALK IN AND ARE UP FOR A CHAT OR A JOKE

atmosphere at AUC and enjoy working with on display.

of the students’ spirits. They feel like they’re

isn’t enough time for them to talk. The guys

his or her order before he or she leaves. The

readers what to do. Well, then I’m reverting job done. Islam will hover over the register, keep an eye on the inventory so that they

That, everyone, is a day in the life of our

break. If the baking is all in order, Chef Taher

Culture

EGYPT‘S NECESSARY INFORMAL ECONOMY BY HOSSAM YAHIA

How often do you see a street vendor in your neighborhood selling simple things, most of which are from China? How tap or blocked up bathtub? How often do you catch your neighbor getting his hair trimmed by a freelance barber, or a group of students being tutored by their teacher after school hours? All these daily encounters are called off-the book transactions that involve direct cash

Like many things in life, there is a silver

Another merit of street vendors is that popular opinion, and saves money for the

receipts and don’t involve any taxes.

most nations.

their needs. This, as a result, saves a huge amount of fuel subsidized by the

and when unemployment rates rise sharply leaving thousands of households without Upon analyzing both opposing opinions on

phone.

methods swing in the gray area but still lead

Al Bawaba Business states that Egypt’s same phenomenon. Many believe that

management and organization of this vendors by supporting them with their one-

to issue higher tax rates in order to make up their expenses and feed their families.

million employees. Hassan Masoud’s Rebel vital areas. If you were to take a short trip

sidewalks and parts of the main streets industrial standards. A number of these

market.

MANY ECONOMISTS SEE THIS INFORMAL ACTIVITY AS CRUCIAL AND NECESSARY IN EVERY ECONOMIC SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY IN THAT OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SUCH AS EGYPT’S. THEY CONSIDER IT A FORM OF BACKUP FOR PERIODS OF RECESSION IN MOST NATIONS.

ARTS

THE TURKISH APPEAL BY JILAN TOBAR

ARTS Noor, Mohanad, Amir, Samar/Fatma, and that guy with really nice hair who evidently inspired Maged Elmasry last Ramadan - these are just some of the characters we have gotten to know soap opera “Noor” in 2008. Since then, Turkish soap operas have taken Egypt and the rest of the Arab world by a storm. But what is it about these Turkish series that is so appealing? Egypt itself has long had an active media production industry. Why are audiences beginning to prefer Turkish drama to Egyptian drama?

“[Turkish dramas] are better, with more emotional depth, less repetitive ideas, more

against her rapists and Turkish legislation. The series Hareem al Sultan was similarly may sully Turkey’s or Sultan Suleiman the the popularity of these shows has kept this ban from following through.

are known to be elaborate and beautiful, as is evident in Hareem al Sultan, a series set in Ottoman Turkey. Turkish soap operas

Turkish dramas are also often used as a found in Egypt. In many homes, talk shows on family room televisions. The dominant

intrigued by the alternative lifestyles that are portrayed in Turkish dramas - lifestyles glamorous without being as alien as the lifestyles portrayed in Western dramas. Another Twitter user, Nora (@NoraBelAleph)

behind.

TURKISH DRAMAS ARE ALSO OFTEN USED AS A RESPITE FROM THE POLITICAL TURBULENCE CURRENTLY FOUND IN EGYPT. THE DOMINANT DISCUSSIONS FEATURED ON THESE TALK SHOWS REGARDS THE FRUSTRATIONS THAT SAID POLITICAL TURBULENCE HAS INSPIRED. ALTERNATIVELY, TV PROGRAMS CAN BECOME MINDLESSLY SILLY IN THEIR COMEDIC NATURE. TURKISH SERIES HAVE TAKEN IT UPON THEMSELVES TO FILL THE VOID LEFT BEHIND.

than Egyptians, but their drama is mixed Hambazaza, another AUC student, says that is often set in depressing ghetto - for most Egyptians, an unwanted reminder of the The lifestyles and ideals portrayed by Turkish (@a_sakia), Pakistan has dubbed a popular T

ARTS Contrarily to Christian and Muslim When it comes to politics or religion, when it comes to marvelling and trying to reach a profound understanding of all that is beautiful; they can be equally silenced by sheer, awe-striking art. A small and serene synagogue, hidden

platform from the sides rather than front to

In the far end of Ben Ezra lies a Holy Ark,

gem resting in Old Cairo.

that the Ben Ezra Synagogue was originally

of the Ark in bright golden paint. In front of

during the Tulunids Dynasty- to the Jews as a form of payment of the annual taxes imposed by the Muslim rulers of that era. during the reign of Ahmed Ibn Tulun. Throughout history, it has undergone multiple restorations, and is believed to have

photography inside the whole synagogue) is

synagogue is Egypt’s oldest and most visited

their beauty: the windows are made up of

More than anything, the synagogue is a

before they were expelled from Egypt in at the very heart of the holy building. habitually stands to read the Torah, is in of the synagogue and tantalizingly striking in its own way, the sides of the platform

higher level of the platform lays a royal blue

Dangling from the pillars, like fragile spheres glass lanterns that shine a burning yellow.

rather invisible minority hidden from the The synagogue stands proudly in Old

THE CHURCH WAS ACQUIRED BY JERUSALEM-BORN RABBI ABRAHAM BEN EZRA FOR REIGN OF AHMED IBN TULUN. THROUGHOUT HISTORY, IT HAS UNDERGONE MULTIPLE RESTORATIONS, AND IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN A CONSECRATED PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE FOR NORTH AFRICAN JEWS. TODAY, THE INACTIVE SYNAGOGUE IS EGYPT’S OLDEST AND MOST VISITED SITE WITHOUT A PRICE TAG.

BRIDGING THE GAP: BEN EZRA SYNAGOGUE BY SARA ABDELAZIZ

Culture

©Deena Soliman

A WORLD OF SCREENS BY HEBA EL SAWY

It is no secret that the average metropolitan is quite attached to their screens. This screen could be anything from your mobile phone, laptop, television, or the less common portable video game console. The point of this article is not to provide a self-righteous rant on how our world is becoming one similar to George Orwell’s 1984; this article simply surrounds an observation each of us has made, consciously or not.

head from reading the book. admit it that they are submitting to the same you’re on your tablet, or on your phone,

raised being mesmerized by this world of

to them.

I’M ATTACHED TO MY SMART PHONE AS MUCH AS THE NEXT PERSON, IT CONNECTS ME TO PEOPLE ABROAD THAT I WOULDN’T KNOW HOW TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH OTHERWISE. BUT BEING CONSTANTLY SURROUNDED BY SCREENS LIMITS YOUR SCOPE, IT INEVITABLY LIMITS YOUR IMAGINATION.

just taking everything around you all in. Just visiting your rooftop and taking in the still there). If you just lie in the grass and take the whole world, you realize that you’re so your world are just as small. There is so

yourself. It is indisputable that a generation raised by TV shows, baby game apps, who learn to even speak (this is no exaggeration), are

whether they are mundane or thrilling, are something that these generations might

For example, when a sudden wave of time with family and friends. Sure, I was a

Don’t get me wrong, give me a lazy day in, and I will love the long term relationship with my bed and TV shows on my laptop - but I’d

minds. By being spoon-fed images and adventure. This something that is worth talking about. I’m pretty sure every single generation goes I’m sure we’ve heard it all before. But I something we have never seen before in

with otherwise.

ARTS

JUST A REMINDER: PHOTOESSAY BY NATHALIE MAHER 24

ARTS

TOP 10 MOVIES OF THE PAST DECADE (THAT YOU›VE PROBABLY NEVER HEARD OF) 1 MYSTERIOUS SKINS 2 AWAY WE GO 3 MEMENTO 4 DONNIE DARKO 5 BEFORE SUNSET 6 LOST IN TRANSLATION 7 CHARLIE BARTLETT 8 9 BRICK 10 ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND

Opinions

Heritage for Sale By Baheya Zeitoun

to portray the extent of the damage - a

that were handwritten by some of the

history of Judaism in Egypt. I would like you heritage. However, as these millennia passed, some of these monuments have either been

the relation between a ton and the weight of The people who have shaped human history to what it is today (the Caesars, the Gandhis will never (re)exist.

the bottom of the Mediterranean) or stolen However I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t blame people for being ignorant. I blame those who were or destroying Egyptian monuments has returned to Egypt over the past years and

studying the past helps you understand

disintegrating before everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes, went

paid, simply out of spite, or even worse.

as those responsible for the vandalism

have been preserved, were transformed system has been altered to a point where

tarnished. Thus, the history of one of the

Opinions

The Ring Road - perhaps the Mubarak eraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Satellite Cities: On The Edge of Cairo would need to drive for seventy kilometers By Omar Omar The Cairo Metro, as an example, does

it should serve as an alternative route.

indispensable. The Ring Road is dominated

like a great idea. People were promised

Suez. The road itself is full of potholes, many People who made the move early on to the authorities, are a law of their own. To or even supermarkets. People living on the

to breaking down on the road, and drivers

make matters worse, there are very few

periphery still found themselves dependent

use of drugs and pills to keep them alert on

still lived in downtown Cairo, making a daily th

to give priority to those who had employment found it frustrating to adjust to having to drive

the area still live beyond the Mehwar.

th th th

away from downtown Cairo. In theory, that treated suburban residents with something

July Mehwar, an extension

el Balad and passes through Zamalek,

starts in Mohandessin and terminates in and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sorry but this friendship has no

from proximity to them (the same way New Cairo businesses also highlight their proximity

th th

should take no more than twenty minutes. th

Instead, the trip routinely takes an hour or so just to get to Mohandessin, and then

suburbs.

parking. Last but not least, businesses transport authorities to build more major parts of Cairo.

Opinions

The ’ Rising By Alaa El-Sayed El Mahrakawy

©Mohamed El Shamy

Contrary to popular conception, the movement is one of the oldest

and encompasses within it varying individuals and factions. Classical

ideological and political movements

was initially mobilized by

in Egypt. Though it is often compared with the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), the movement could not be more different in terms of structure and organizational capacity. As a dynamic stream, is diverse

the “Sharia Association,” which was established in 1912, with the purpose of restoring the Islamic community’s commitment to Islamic faith and rituals. The Muslim Brotherhood (established in 1928) would thus be a later,

However, it is only with the outbreak

stratum of

of the January Revolution that and “ ” would begin to gain attention. This is in part due to the that until the outbreak of the revolution the had little formal on

opposition has done littl to relieve any of the demands of the population. Although the April th Party and the Kefaya movement must be for their involvement with the labor movement, with

the arena. What is even more of a surprise is the rise of the ’s “Al-Nur” party to power was able to garner of the votes in the in the “Post-Mubarak” era. This

the outbreak of the revolution the of these movements surprisingly shifted towards demands of a more transparent “ .”

many to theorize that perhaps this ultrastream of Islam has more support among the Egyptian than

Karl Marx is often for saying that “religion is the opiate of the masses.” Though often takes this

was previously assumed. That being said, there is a to be made for further gains

understanding of religion to be one that invalidates religion, the remains that it

by the

points to a tangible phenomenon. Marxist understandings of religion point to a trend of growing religiosity among the more

movement in the in April.

. By

oppressed in a . The that religion a makes why the of the Islamist

as well as a move towards the formation of “ ” as opposed to “state .” For a majority of Egypt’s

streams has found

population, and terrible living

relationship between the and MB parties reveals a greater tension

appeal.

The newest development in the

within the “ ” stream. On the 18th of February, with strikes in Suez Canal their third day, President

that swept the that in rural

Mohammed Mursi was pressure and was in need to

his

towards “God” and not “labor unions” for . Far from arguing that the poor God to deliver them a , but

Islamist allies and repair the ties with the Al-Nur party. However, after one of the AlNour angrily to being

it would be a mistake to underestimate the of organizations of the

by Mursi on grounds of “ rose with their

poor’s

growing MB domination of the government. It serves as a reminder that the are the largest representing parties in Egypt’s previous parliament. In , it even be argued that the may

parties.

To date, the parties, as well the MB, have been heavily involved in providing the daily for the lower

Muslim Brotherhood which took Islam into the sphere of politics by framing it with anti-colonial rhetoric, as was typical of a time in which the colonial threat was a “threat to the Islamic Empire.”

a pressure

for forming a unity

government as has been for by the opposition, a move that Mursi and the MB severely oppose. This proves that all previous to lump both the and the Muslim Brotherhood in the same are untrue to the shaping the relationship between these different parties. Finally no about the parliamentary would be without an overview of the , or thereof, of Egypt’s liberal opposition. Far from presenting themselves as a united front like the MB, Egypt’s and liberal opposition is as a , disoriented that is unable or unwilling to present and straightforward . Even the newly formed “National Salvation Front” (NFS) was only with the purpose of Mursi and his . For this reason among many, it would be hard to imagine that the NFS present any kind of alternative to

informs of their mobilization. Though Egypt’s is one of the main of the waves of protests , the truth remains people look

movement would be eclipsed by the

, the

An examination of Egypt’s will prove that not only is there a of segregation

, unemployment, poverty are a reality that

more moderate rival of the movement. By the 1940’s, the

,” many over the

Ikhwani rule. The

in Egypt be painted. The opposition is fragmented and splintered. The MB is losing what is

of as a

of initiative

on behalf of the government to the of the revolution. It that the only party left that has maintained steady support and a unity is that of the stream. Nothing short of a military takeover, or a reinvigoration of the revolution by the labor movement, will stop the ’s rising.

Opinions

To My Fellow Foreigners

What is in a look More than a person realizes. By looks, I mean both and the type that a pair of eyes bestows upon another person. This is a personal , but I hope that perhaps something be taken away, for my fellow foreigners. First, let us take looks to mean features. Walking on the streets of Cairo, and even at AUC, Egyptians stop me for various . While I am still learning, my is shoddy, to say the least. I answer in with, “I don’t know,” or “I’m a foreigner.” Here is where the looks of the eye in. With Egyptians, outside AUC, the look in their eyes might be a slight as to why I do not understand . When I say I am from the United States I usually get a smile and an understanding look. Before I ever got to Egypt I My looks, as in

this would happen. features, are olive

skin, short dark hair, and beard. This allows me to blend in and not too unwanted attention. Even other foreign men get treated differently than I do. Perhaps judging by my name you might wonder where my are from. I was born and raised in the great state of Texas. My parents were also born in Laredo, Texas, a on the U.S.border. My family, on my dad’s side, and on his mother’s side, has been living in Texas it was New Spain. To make a long and short, that part of the world state admitted into the Union.

history the th

But that is not where it has ended. Through that history and my desire to roam, I am now a graduate student at the University in Cairo. I have lived in different before I temporarily settled in Egypt for what will amount to two years. I lived in Germany as an student for a year in High . I have visited numerous times then. I lived on the island of St. as a Corps volunteer for over two years. I lived in South Korea as an English for one year. one of those , despite all their , had their similarities, in St. and Korea. In St. , the majority of the population is of and mixed . In Korea, everyone is, well, Korean. That makes anyone who is not of that an obvious outsider. Seeing a stranger in those lands will often turn heads. It will also turn heads of other foreigners. Often times foreigners will seek out other foreigners. There is a sort of solidarity of not being from and of that land. Now, I am in Egypt, and I know that my is different than that of other foreigners. This has to do with how I look. But having been a foreigner in other , I never thought that my would be so different here. , for example, I walked to Zamalek to meet a friend. Not knowing where I was going, I asked a stranger, a woman who was obviously not Egyptian if she give me . I did not even get past, “ me…” before she blurted out in subpar Spanish that she did not speak English. Annoyed at her rudeness towards me I told her that I was merely asking for and that her Spanish was . Her probably from thinking that I was an Egyptian trying to hit on her.

Whether it is on the AUC , or around foreign haunts, mostly in Zamalek, I get a negative look from other foreigners, mostly students, mostly fellow . Even when speaking my native language,

Standard English, I get a look that I am not . While I am not all of the foreigners at AUC and in Cairo, I am making it known that the of even a few are shaming all of us. I do not mind being mistaken for an Egyptian. In , I understand. Egyptians mistake me for Egyptian. But I see something that perhaps Egyptians see. My dealings with my fellow and have shown me a side that I know exists, but saddens and angers me nonetheless. No, I am not Egyptian, but I know I look like one. And even if I was Egyptian, why should that matter If having your so, “Life Changing ,” in another involves getting hammered drunk (and I have heard those and boastful as well) and shutting out everyone those that look like you, you should probably go home and return to your suburban bubble.

The Forgotten Ones By Mariam Iskander

He dragged his small, exhausted body and sweat. These people are in terrible

potatoes to the free, loud, demanding is living. Omar and his death represent

realize the problems of the poor and the

that instigated and released the anger of the Egyptian souls and led to the ousting of to all of the struggles and horrendous

The most important problem is that the for the rights of the poor, oppressed, and poor and the marginalized, we woull not

outbreak of revolts against the him, his

power, ideologies, seats in the parliament,

some parties of these people’s poverty,

He mourned those who fell and died, and Those masses make up a huge of the protests. Little did he know that he military personnel. That marked the end of Omar Salah Omran’s story. Heartbreaking going through. So let us not forget about the horrible “mistake” that led to his death, but why aren’t we witnessing any kind of and struggle on the TV talk shows and

@ABDELRHMAN_D

! !

) (

)

(

: :

: "

)

(

) "

(

) "

) (

" -

)

(

! "

)

(

( !! (

) "

)

–

)

@REHAM1MORSY

(

)

(Christian Nationalism)

The construction and the) (deconstruction of identities

(

)

@MOHAMEDSADEK

@ABDELRHMAN_D

! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

" "

" ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

! "! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

: ...

@MENNAYAHIA

“

“ :

”

(

) “

”

! ! ! ! ! ! –

– "

"" ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! " ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! "

–!

@MENNAYAHIA

–"

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

" –

! :

" -

@KHALEDAABDELLAT

Luxur Temple in Luxur, Egypt

" ! !

! -

: "

" !

" "

" !

: !

" "

ÂŠ NewOpenWorld Foundation

@MOHAMEDSADEK

@GHADEERALSHAMII

@KHALEDAABDELLAT

! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

! , (

, "

" ,

)

" !

!! ,

" ! ! ! ! ! ! ,! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !" ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

, , ,

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

, ,

, , ,

, !

! ! !

! ! ! !

" , , ,

, ,"

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

" ,

, , »

,«

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

(

, ,

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! " ! ! ! !

ÂŠ Unknown

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

–

Modern Colonialism

: ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! !

" "

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! "! ! ! !

! ! ! ! !

: ! -

!ECOWAS! -

–

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! !

: ! !

@ABDOREPUBLIC

! !

! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

–

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

! !

) Harlem Shake

! ! "

(

! ! !

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! "! ! !

: !

! ! ! ! ! ! !

)

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

–

" (

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

(VERSUS NOT AGAINST) @MOHAMEDSADEK

@NESMAYASSIN12

" "

"! (

: !

) !!

! !" !! )" ! ! ! ! : ! ! ! ! !!!!!!" : ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!" ! )" ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

!!!!)" : ! !!" ! : ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !" : ! ! ! ! :

! :

! ! : " "

! !

! ! ! !!!!" : ! ! ! !!!" ! : ! ! ! !

(

! ! ! )! ! ! ! ! !!" !

)

: :

25 400

: :(

! !!" ! ! ! 8 ! ! !!!!" : ! ! ) ! ! : ! ! ! ! ! : ! ! ! !!"

” ”-

. . . . . . . .

. . AUC : .

: (VERSUS NOT AGAINST)

AUC . ..