Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

The autobiography of a former Muslim Brotherhood member has been banned by the Islamic Research Academy. However critics expected that it would be heralded by scholars as a warning against fundamentalism.

Umar Bakrī Bakrī describes the sentence issued against ‘Iz al-Dīn as unjust and unfounded, and reveals the double standards as well as the injustice inflicted upon Muslims who reject the U.S-British invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The author believes that even if Islam is the solution, Muslims themselves are the problem. Whenever they have weapons, they direct them towards their countries’ regimes even if the regimes govern in the name of Islam.

Liberal Islamic thinker Nasr Hāmid Abū Zayd participated in a cultural festival that was organized in Beirut and Cairo at the same time. After the difficulties encountered to hold Abū Zayd’s lecture in different places, the lecture was given at the American University in Cairo where Abū Zayd stressed the significance of art and discussed prohibition in Islamic societies.

Drs. Hulsman and Dr. Burslem provide a detailed report on Muslim-Christian relations based on a review of Dr. Hugh Goddard’s book, commenting on a number of issues including Western perceptions, mis-interpretations, and examples of recent incidents involving Muslims and Christians.

Dr. Khālid Muntasir reviews a novel authored by the Saudi writer Shams al-Muqrin entitled, ’Nisā’ al-Munkar’ [Women of Enormity].

A Syrian radical cleric ‘Umar Bakrī has been prevented from entering the U.K. due to media reports on his controversial stances toward the bombing attacks that have recently taken place in Britain. Bakrī, the founder of al-Muhajiroun Movement in the U.K., calls on British authorities either to try him with clear charges, or to let him return to his family residing in London.

The following presents a report on poverty in Egypt, and specifically how this issue is being addressed by the Coptic Orthodox Church in an attempt to alleviate the suffering of Egyptians.

A series of three consecutive terrorist attacks rocked the Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh Saturday leaving 64 people killed and some 124 injured. The blasts targeted the Old Market, the Ghazāla Hotel and a parking lot in Nicma Bay.

The author comments on political Islam, and the people that have fought to combat this image

of Islam. She further comments on controversial Fatwás, as well as Muslim-Christian relations.