Hijab double standards too often strikes home
CAIRO: Every now and then news comes along that a government outside the Middle East decides to ban the hijab (Islamic veil) in some form or another. Protesting such decisions…
Egyptian in Jordan cured of bird flu
AMMAN: An Egyptian worker diagnosed with the H5N1 deadly strain of bird flu at the end of March has recovered and left a hospital in Jordan on Monday, a medical…
Hamas wants Gaza connected to Egyptian telecom network
CAIRO: The new Hamas-led Palestinian government is considering connecting the Gaza Strip to Egypt s telecommunications network, communications and technology minister Jamal Al-Khodari said Monday. In the context of the…
Saudi Shiite clerics slam remarks by Mubarak
DUBAI: A group of Saudi Shiite clerics and intellectuals have criticized remarks by President Hosni Mubarak about the loyalty of Shiite Muslims to their countries, saying they inflame sectarian strife.…
Egyptian FM denounces Israeli escalation against Palestinian cities
CAIRO: Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit on Sunday condemned recent Israeli raids against Palestinians and suggested they instead should focus on returning to peace negotiations.Abul-Gheit said the Israeli air-strikes in the…
Jailed politician stopped from writing-wife
CAIRO: Egyptian authorities have stopped jailed opposition leader Ayman Nour sending articles to his party s newspaper, Nour s wife Gameela Ismail said on Sunday. Nour, who came a distant…
Latest attempt to license Al-Wassat fails
CAIRO: The latest attempt by moderate Islamist group Al-Wassat to obtain an official license for their party has fallen short. This is the fourth failed attempt by the group in…
Human rights organization holds talks with government
CAIRO: The American Human Rights Watch Organization, which is currently in Egypt holding its quarterly meeting, met with members of the Egyptian government on April 8. They discussed human rights…
Mubarak's comments make headlines around the region
CAIRO: President Hosni Mubarak's comments regarding Shiite Muslims in Iraq sparked region-wide criticism, and independent newspapers around the region have been following up on the issue. A high-profile Shiite Saudi…
Showcasing Ashoura
CAIRO: "It's a true definition of humanity; the bringing of morbidity to a new level, a façade to our inner souls. Minou is a very talented woman on a wavelength…