Water pipe dreams
Despite recent progress, more than one billion people still lack decent water supplies, and more than two billion go without sanitation services. But, while we often assume that the benefits…
Islamic weddings
Over the last few years I attended a number of my Muslim colleagues marriage ceremonies at the mosque. Every time I participate in this lovely occasion I get the impression…
With a Grain of Salt: The Magoor and other popular sayings
Our venerable Members of Parliament never cease to surprise me. I returned from a trip abroad last week to find a huge uproar at the People's Assembly against Minister of…
If food is the music of love, play on
ALEXANDRIA: Gastronomy may at first seem an unusual avenue for dialogue. But on second thought, it begins to appear a brilliant, even ingenious way of bringing people together.Much like a…
From 1938 to 2008: 70 years of changes in Coptic personal status laws
CAIRO: The Coptic Orthodox Church has replaced the nine reasons for divorce originally listed in the 1938 bylaw with only two: adultery and change of religion. The church also asked…
Police assign guards to jewelry stores following Zeiton shooting
CAIRO: The government has taken up new security measures for jewelry shops following the armed raid on a jewelry shop in the district of Zeitoun in Cairo last Wednesday. Two…
Human rights groups blast court decision on HIV convictions
CAIRO: Human Rights Watch has condemned the decision taken by the Cairo Appeals court to uphold the sentencing of five men diagnosed with the HIV/AIDS virus to three-year prison terms,…
A father calls for investigation into son's death
CAIRO: The father of a taxi driver killed by the private car driven by the son of a member of Egypt's elite has called for justice and a full investigation…
Donkey and dog meat on sale in slums
CAIRO: The prices of donkey, dog and pig meat have risen recently, approaching those of legal meat, as people in poor areas turn to illicit sources of protein amid the…
Egyptian detained in Saudi on charges of sympathizing with Iraq
CAIRO: Tragedy has overtaken the family of Ibrahim El-Sayed Mohamed Al-Sadiq who went missing inside Saudi territory a year ago leaving behind a little girl named Shahd who never stopped…