On the State of Egypt

by ASWANY, ALAA ALWRIGHT, JONATHAN

• ISBN13: 9780307946980
• ISBN10: 0307946983
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2011-03-25
• Publisher: Vintage

Summary

#x1C;Alaa Al Aswany is among the best writers in the Middle East today, a suitable heir to the mantle worn by Naguib Mahfouz, his great predecessor.#x1D; #x13;Jay Parini, The Guardian (UK) From one of Egypt#x19;s most acclaimed novelists, here is a vivid chronicle of Egyptian society, with penetrating analysis of all the most urgent issues-economic stagnation, police brutality, poverty, the harassment of women and of the Christian minority, to name a few-that led to the stunning overthrow of the Mubarak government. Al-Aswany addresses himself to all the questions being asked within Egypt and beyond: who will be the next president, and how will he be chosen in a land where heretofore only simpletons, opportunists and stooges involved themselves with elections? What role will the Muslim Brotherhood play? How can democratic reforms be effected among a people used to such contradictions as the religiously observant policeman who commits torture? In a candid and controversial assessment of both the potential and limitations that will determine his country#x19;s future, Al-Aswany reveals why the revolt that surprised the world was destined to happen. #x1C;[The] star of a new generation of Egyptian novelists.#x1D; #x13; The Independent (UK)

Author Biography

Alaa Al Aswany addresses himself to all the questions being asked within Egypt and beyond: who will be the next president, and how will he be chosen in a land where heretofore only simpletons, opportunists, and stooges involved themselves with elections? What role will the Muslim Brotherhood play? How can democratic reforms be effected among a people used to such contradictions as the religiously observant policeman who commits torture? In a candid and controversial assessment of both the potential and limitations that will determine his country's future, Al Aswany reveals why the revolt that surprised the world was destined to happen.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. vii
The Presidency and Succession	p. 1
The Egyptian Campaign against the Succession	p. 3
Three Fallacious Arguments for Supporting Gamal Mubarak	p. 7
The Art of Pleasing the President	p. 11
The Chameleons Attack ElBaradei	p. 15
Should Gaza Pay the Price for Hereditary Succession in Egypt?	p. 19
Why Are We Falling Behind as the World Progresses?	p. 23
The Only Way to Evict Mr. Battista	p. 27
What Do Egyptians Expect from ElBaradei?	p. 31
When Will President Mubarak Grasp This Truth?	p. 35
Does Rigging Elections Count as a Major Sin?	p. 39
Do We Need a Benevolent Dictator?	p. 43
A Story for Children and Adults	p. 47
A Surprise Dinner with an Important Person	p. 51
Thoughts on the President's Health	p. 57
Why Don't Egyptians Take Part in Elections?	p. 61
The People and Social Justice	p. 65
Our Advice to the Butcher	p. 67
The Party of the Great Collapse	p. 73
Why Do Egyptians Harass Women?	p. 79
How Should We Overcome the Temptation Posed by Women?	p. 83
The Niqab and Flawed Religiosity	p. 87
Piety in Front of the Camera	p. 91
What Will Protect the Copts?	p. 95
Egypt Sits on the Substitutes' Bench	p. 99
Are Egyptians Really Religious?	p. 103
The Sorrows of Miss Laurence	p. 107
Why Are Religious Fanatics Obsessed with Women's Bodies?	p. 111
Nora and the National Squad	p. 115
Defending Egypt's Flag	p. 119
The Importance of Being Human	p. 123
Who Killed the Egyptians on the Religious Holiday?	p. 127
Can President Obama Save the Copts?	p. 131
Egypt Awakened	p. 135
The Story of Mamdouh Hamza	p. 139
Who Is Killing the Poor in Egypt?	p. 143
Does Subservience Protect Us from Injustice?	p. 147
Does Mistreating People Invalidate the Ramadan Fast?	p. 151
Free Speech and State Repression	p. 155
How Do Police Officers Celebrate Ramadan?	p. 157
A Discussion with a State Security Officer	p. 161
Four Videos to Entertain President Mubarak	p. 165
Before We Damn Switzerland	p. 169
An Unfortunate Incident Befalls a State Security Officer	p. 173
Why Was the General Screaming?	p. 177
Should We Start with Moral Reform or Reforming the System?	p. 181
Are Freedoms Inseparable?	p. 185
The Fate of Ibrahim Eissa	p. 189
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