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Documentary film: "Freedom Bus"

On the rocky road to democracy

In 2011, the German-Iranian film director Fatima Geza Abdollahyan followed the "Freedom Bus" on its tour of Egypt. Along the way, she experienced many of the difficulties the campaign encountered in its attempts to raise awareness of the principles of democracy. Nevertheless, the resulting film makes compelling viewing. By Maha El Nabawi
Presidential election in Egypt

No real choice

It is a foregone conclusion that Egypt's military ruler Abdul Fattah al-Sisi will win the first presidential election since the ousting of the Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in July 2013. Nevertheless, true democracy in the land on the Nile is still a long way off, writes Loay Mudhoon
Bassem Youssef: Satire in the Service of Democracy

Never before in the Arab world has a television show unleashed such controversy as the satirical programme "Al Bernameg" ('The Programme') presented by Egyptian television star Bassem Youssef – a furore that was stoked further when its broadcasting slot on the Egyptian broadcaster "CBC" was withdrawn in the wake of the uproar it caused. This makes it a milestone in the history of the freedom of expression in Egypt.
Death sentence against Mohammed Morsi

Democracy is futile

The most problematic aspect of the death sentence handed down to the democratically elected former President Morsi is arguably the dangerous message it sends out to the Islamists, namely that there is no point participating in the democratic process. A commentary by Karim El-Gawhary
Religion and freedom of expression

The birth of a new theocracy?

Following the Arabellion, controversial pluralistic debates on questions of morality or religion were no longer taboo in Egypt. But such discursive freedom has proved short-lived; the tide has turned. These days, the tone adopted by Egypt's regime is more highly charged with religious rhetoric than ever and the goal is clear: to wrest back control of social discourse. Meanwhile Egypt's justice system is playing along and restricting freedom of expression. Sofian Philip Naceur reports from Cairo
Abdul Fattah al-Sisi's state visit to Germany

A dictator in Berlin

The German government is receiving Egypt's President Sisi on a state visit this week. While the controversial visit is an honour for him, it might damage both counties. After all, while Sisi continues to stir up anti-Western sentiment at home, he is still reliant on the support of the US and the EU. By Annette Ranko
After the release of Egyptian blogger Alaa Abdel-Fattah

Freedom of expression at an all-time low

The well-known Egyptian blogger Alaa Abdel-Fattah has been released on bail. Is it a sign that the powers that be in Cairo are ready to allow increased freedom of expression? Egyptian filmmaker and activist Omar Hamilton says it's not. Interview by Sella Oneko
Presidential election in Egypt

In the heartland of the al-Sisi cult

The residents of Gamaliya in Cairo are extremely proud of their district's son, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Markus Symank visited the quarter where the former Egyptian army chief spent his formative years to get a feel for the man who is most likely to be Egypt's next head of state
The economic power of the Egyptian army

Everything under control

While poverty and unemployment rates in Egypt are on the rise, the country's generals live comfortably and the army's businesses are booming. In fact, since the revolution, the army has managed to consolidate its economic power – with the help of foreign countries seeking to influence domestic politics in Egypt. By Markus Symank in Cairo
Interview with Nawal El Saadawi

"They don't want any really courageous people!"

The spirited Egyptian author and feminist Nawal El Saadawi is not afraid of castigating the hypocrisy of the political system and the continued violations of women's rights in her country. Arian Fariborz spoke to her in Cairo