The following is research published today from MEMRI’s Special Dispatch Series, the MEMRI TV Project, and the MEMRI Blog, with a focus on Egypt. Included are several interviews with Egyptian religious figures and also with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit, translations from the Egyptian press, blog posts about Egypt, and cartoons from the Egyptian media.
For more, see MEMRI's Egypt Studies Project: http://www.memri.org/content/en/country.htm?country=egypt.
*Special Dispatch Series
Special Dispatch No. 2933—Egypt/Women's Topics
New Sheikh of Al-Azhar Warns Against Shi'itization of Sunni Societies, States: A Copt Cannot Become Leader of Egypt
Following are excerpts from interviews with Al-Azhar Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayeb, which aired on Al-Arabiya TV on April 2, 2010 and on BBC Arabic TV on April 5, 2010:
On Al-Arabiya TV: Women Cannot Lead Men in Prayer; We Are Against Normalization With Israel; Iranian Students Should Be Allowed to Study at Al-Azhar
Interviewer: "With regard to the new fatwas on women's issues – every day, we hear such fatwas, like allowing women to lead men in prayer. Where were these fatwas all this time, and why are they being issued now?"
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/2451.htm.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/4128.htm.
Special Dispatch No. 2932–Egypt/U.S. & the Middle East
In Egypt, Sharp Reactions to U.S. Demand for Political Freedom in the Country
On April 6, 2010, Egypt's security apparatuses clashed with demonstrators from the April 6 opposition movement who were marking the second anniversary of the movement's founding; dozens were arrested.
On April 7, the U.S. State Department issued a statement expressing concern about the arrest of Egyptian citizens, and calling on Egypt to let its citizens "express their political views peacefully... The United States believes that all individuals should be allowed to exercise freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The people of Egypt should be able to participate in the political process."
The statement was harshly criticized in Egypt. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit told the Roz Al-Yousuf daily that it was the result of pressure on the U.S. administration at home, and added that only Egypt itself would make decisions about its internal affairs, and that it would not permit social upheaval in the country.
Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki called the statement an intervention in Egypt's domestic affairs, saying that in making it, the State Department had ignored the fact that the detainees had already been released. The government daily Al-Gomhouriyya led the attack on the statement in the Egyptian media.
Following are excerpts from several articles published in the Egyptian government press on the issue:
To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/4127.htm.
Special Dispatch No. 2931—Egypt/Lantos Archives on Anti-Semitism and Holocaust Denial
Egyptian Cleric Ahmad 'Eid Mihna: The Jews Are Behind the Misery, Hardship, Usury, and Whorehouses, and Any Form of Corruption
In a recent sermon aired on the Egyptian Al-Shabab TV channel, Egyptian cleric Ahmad 'Eid Mihna warned that the Jews, whose "innate characteristics include lying, deceiving, the practice of usury, and the selling of arms," are behind "the misery, the hardship, the usury, the whorehouses, and any form of corruption that is spread in the land." The Jews' hatred of the Muslims, he said, was not born in modern times for the purpose of stealing resources and territories, but harks back to the early days of Islam.
To view excerpts from this sermon, which aired on January 10, 2010, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/2409.htm.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/4126.htm.
Special Dispatch No. 2930– Egypt/Jihad & Terrorism Studies Project
New Leader of the Muslim Brotherhood Muhammad Badi': 'We Will Continue to Raise the Banner of Jihad and the Koran'
The following excerpts are from an interview with the general guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, Muhammad Badi', which aired on Dream 2 TV (Egypt) on April 14, 2010.
Muhammad Badi': "We will continue to raise the banner of Jihad and the Koran in our confrontation with the enemy of Islam. The Zionists still put two blue stripes on their flag. Even the Zionists..."
Interviewer: "What does this represent? You are Egyptian, just like me and the viewers. Is the sword still..."
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/2459.htm.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/4125.htm.
Special Dispatch No. 2929– Egypt/Iran/Inter-Arab Relations/Proliferation of WMDs
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit Warns That a Nuclear Iran Would Force the Arabs to Join the Nuclear Race
The following excerpts are from an interview with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit, which aired on Egyptian Channel 1 on April 11, 2010.
Interviewer: "Let me ask you the question of the man on the street: What's wrong with Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon? It is an Islamic country, a neighbor of the Arabs, and its capabilities are directed against the enemies of the Arabs and the Muslims. How would Egypt be harmed by Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon?"
Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit: "We have forgotten history."
To view this clip on MEMRI TV, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/2453.htm.
To read the full report, visit http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/4124.htm.
*From The MEMRI Blog
The following items are from the MEMRI Blog; visit http://memriblog.org/ daily.
Egypt to Amend Religious Studies Curricula
Egyptian Mufti Dr. 'Ali Gum'a and Education Minister Dr. Ahmad Zaki Badr have announced a plan to amend the Islamic curriculum in elementary schools and high schools, starting next year. The initiative comes in response to complaints that some of the curricula encourage violence and extremism.
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/26644.htm.
Cartoon in Egyptian Paper: Obama Chained By The Jews/Israel In Dealing With Iran, Palestinian Issue
Cartoonist: Ossama
Source: Al-Ahram Weekly, March 25-31, 2010
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/26735.htm.
Cartoon in Egyptian Paper: Jewish/Israeli Wolves Howl At Six-Pointed Moon Prior To Attacking Middle East
Cartoonist: Ossama
Source: Al-Ahram Weekly, April 1-7, 2010
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/26739.htm.
Abu Al-Gheit: If Israel Attacks Syria or Lebanon, Egypt Will Support Them
During his visit to Lebanon on April 24, 2010, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit alluded to Israel's allegations that Syria has supplied Hizbullah with Skud missiles, calling them "a big lie." He added that if Israel attacked Syria or Lebanon, Egypt would stand by these countries.
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/26610.htm.
Cartoon in Egyptian Paper: Netanyahu the Nazi
Cartoonist: Fathi
Source: Al-Ahram Weekly, April 15-21, 2010
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/26733.htm.
Cartoon in Egyptian Paper: Jews, Israel Thwart Obama
Cartoonist: Ossama
Source: Al-Ahram Weekly, April 22-28, 2010
http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/26732.htm.
Egypt Sends 26 To Prison In Hizbullah Terror Cell Case
Egypt's state supreme security court today sentenced 26 prisoners (two Lebanese, five Palestinians, 18 Egyptians, and a Sudanese) to prison in the Hizbullah terror cell affair, for planning murder and attacks in Egypt.
To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/26672.htm.
Conflicting Reports About Syrian-Saudi-Egyptian Summit
There are numerous reports in the Arab press about an upcoming visit to Egypt by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, and about a Syrian-Saudi-Egyptian summit. The reports come against the backdrop of the long-term tension between Syria and Egypt.
To read in full, visit http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/26547.htm.
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