The Week in Egypt – October 28, 2013

Catch up on the latest out of Egypt every week, with analysis, news updates, photos, videos, and more.

Quote of the Week

His bronzed, gold skin, as gold as the sun’s rays, hides a keen, analytical fire within. He challenges the world not with bellows and bravura but with a soft, sombre reproach, with an audible timbre of compassion. | Lubna Abdel Aziz writes about Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Al-Ahram Weekly

Egypt in the News

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In-depth

Egypt’s New Protest Law Sparks Controversy | Bassem Sabry, Al-Monitor

The draft protest law meant to structure and organize protests has sparked a wave of controversy. Bassem Sabry discusses what the proposed law is trying to accomplish and how it instead is conflicts with the right to protest, which Sabry describes as one of the ‘gains’ of the revolution.

“Practically speaking, this law, as it stands, rather paralyzes the right to protest rather than regulates its practice. Furthermore, it is more likely to backfire, as there will be simply no way to curtail Egypt’s flood of protests using the measures stated by the law without forceful confrontations that will inevitably cause further protests in consequence.”

“There is much that the government can theoretically do with less controversy to increase security and bring a degree of order to Egypt, including specialized training for security personnel on how to professionally deal with such situations. Wide legal reform on the subject is also best approached by an elected parliament. But whatever the government insists needs to be immediately achieved through legal measures, it will simply not succeed without wide political and public backing, without the law being realistic in what it hopes to achieve and without true protection of the right to protest.”

Bassem Youssef, known as Egypt’s Jon Stewart, returns to TV after four-month hiatus | Erin Cunningham, The Washington Post

Loved and hated, Dr. Bassem Youssef aired his first show since the events of June 30 and successfully ruffled Egypt’s feathers. Erin Cunningham writes of how political satire would play out in this new phase in Egypt as well as the risk Youssef took as he jabbed at current events and political figures.

“Egypt’s favorite funnyman is back on the air.”

“After a four-month hiatus, the popular and controversial political satirist Bassem Youssef returned to the airwaves Friday night to host an hour-long episode of his show “El Bernameg” (“The Program”).”

“Youssef appeared Friday to have retreated from his normal style of bluntly and often personally challenging political figures. Instead, he tested the waters — lampooning peripheral issues of military rule.”

“But in a more serious monologue at the end of his show, Youssef said he would not be intimidated by the ongoing attempts to censor him.”

““People want to know who I support,” Youssef said. “But I will tell you who I do not support. I am not with the people who called us infidels,” he said, referring to the Islamists that often tried to paint Youssef as anti-Islam. “But I’m also not with hypocrisy or ‘Pharaoh-ism,’ ” he said, taking a swipe at Sisi.”

Video of the Week

‘Voices of Freedom: Egypt’ is an emotional, artistic and experiential look at the pro-democracy movement in Egypt – as seen through the eyes of the activists that have risked their lives to bring democracy to their country. (Warning: Graphic language)

Cartoon of the Week

Translation: “I know what is good for you.” (Source: Andeel)

On Twitter: Reactions to Dr. Bassem Youssef’s al-Bernameg

North Africa

Image: Photo: NASA