Noha El-Hennawy
Gamal al-Banna leaves behind a legacy of controversial views on Islam
Egypt
February 17, 2013
Gamal al-Banna leaves behind a legacy of controversial views on Islam
In his home office in Bab al-Shaariya, the late Gamal al-Banna always had his door open to curious guests seeking…
A Salafi way out?
Egypt
February 3, 2013
A Salafi way out?
After almost two months of ultimate solidarity with the Muslim Brotherhood, the Salafi Nour Party turned against its Islamist peers…
Imaginary secrets: Kharabawy’s work about the Brothers has more conspiracies than truths
Egypt
February 3, 2013
Imaginary secrets: Kharabawy’s work about the Brothers has more conspiracies than truths
With the thrilling title “The Secret of the Temple,” a dissident from the Muslim Brotherhood has shaken the book market…
Salafi bloc faces challenges of electoral support
Egypt
January 21, 2013
Salafi bloc faces challenges of electoral support
As the countdown for the legislative poll begins, uncertainty looms over the chances of the nascent Salafi alliance, consisting of…
Al-Azhar’s support for the constitution is not surprising, given its history
Egypt
January 7, 2013
Al-Azhar’s support for the constitution is not surprising, given its history
In his book “Al-Azhar: the Sheikh and the Mosque,” Helmy al Namnam writes: “The Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar ascended the…
One expert’s thorough examination of the Brotherhood
Books
December 31, 2012
One expert’s thorough examination of the Brotherhood
A submission to Salafi thought, wishy-washy attitudes vis-à-vis social protests, the adoption of a rural culture. With these three inflammatory…
Brotherhood’s politics may mean short term gains and long term losses
Egypt
December 27, 2012
Brotherhood’s politics may mean short term gains and long term losses
Experts on Islamist movements and democratization have long held that Islamist groups, if they are allowed to engage freely in…
The chilling Brothers
Egypt
December 13, 2012
The chilling Brothers
Despite massive opposition to their rule, the Muslim Brothers are still confident the ballot box can reinstate their dominance and…
The constitutional crisis: Morsy’s chances and impasses
Egypt
November 25, 2012
The constitutional crisis: Morsy’s chances and impasses
As violence continues between the president’s backers and detractors on the street and the rift deepens between Islamist and secular…
Accusations fly as faction moves to restrict Journalists Syndicate membership
Egypt
November 8, 2012
Accusations fly as faction moves to restrict Journalists Syndicate membership
Once again, the Journalists Syndicate is wracked by internal feuds. The leaking of a draft bill with amendments to the…
Hawks and doves: FJP election signals conservative trend
Egypt
October 24, 2012
Hawks and doves: FJP election signals conservative trend
Amid loud applause and cheers, Saad al-Katatny’s victory in the presidential election for the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party …
The judicial thorn: Islamists fight tough battle for the judiciary
Egypt
October 16, 2012
The judicial thorn: Islamists fight tough battle for the judiciary
Just a few hours after judges heard about President Mohamed Morsy’s decision to dismiss the public prosecutor, they were able…
Democracy from within: FJP elections and the influence of the Brotherhood
Egypt
October 13, 2012
Democracy from within: FJP elections and the influence of the Brotherhood
Amid skepticism over the genuineness of the poll, the Muslim Brotherhood’s political wing is set to hold its first…
Sheikhs and the ballot box: Internal rifts emerge within Salafi Nour Party
Egypt
September 25, 2012
Sheikhs and the ballot box: Internal rifts emerge within Salafi Nour Party
Once again Salafis are making headlines, not with incendiary statements, but because of internal rivalries that may threaten their most…
Centrist politicians hope to evade Islamist-secular divide
Egypt
September 7, 2012
Centrist politicians hope to evade Islamist-secular divide
Although no date has been set yet for the upcoming parliamentary elections, different political parties have already begun talks in…
Alarming threats to press freedom prompt journalists’ backlash
Egypt
September 2, 2012
Alarming threats to press freedom prompt journalists’ backlash
With more uncertainty surrounding the future of press freedom in the Muslim Brotherhood-led political order, journalists have yet to consolidate…
Q&A with Ameur Larayedh: Ennahda versus Salafis
World
September 1, 2012
Q&A with Ameur Larayedh: Ennahda versus Salafis
Egypt Independent met with Ameur Larayedh, Tunisia's Ennahda political bureau head, constitution-writing assembly member and well-known moderate, who returned to Tunisia…
Thursday’s papers: Mekky dreams of press freedom, wakes up
Egypt
August 30, 2012
Thursday’s papers: Mekky dreams of press freedom, wakes up
Thursday’s press shows conflicting reports about the future of journalists convicted of libel and defamation in the Muslim Brotherhood-led political…
Tunisia’s Salafi flavor
World
August 29, 2012
Tunisia’s Salafi flavor
TUNIS — The appearance of Mohamed Khouja, the leader of Tunisia’s first licensed Salafi political party, does not overtly show…
Q&A with Rajaa Ben Slama: Tunisia’s Islamist-secular divide
Egypt
August 16, 2012
Q&A with Rajaa Ben Slama: Tunisia’s Islamist-secular divide
Raja Ben Slama, a professor of Arab civilization at Manouba University in Tunis, founder of The Tunisian Cultural Association to…