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A new and dangerous term is being deployed in Egypt to legitimise the suppression of debates about religion: "faith security".
The phrase was used this week by al-Azhar's Dean of Sciences in connection with the trial of TV presenter Islam El-Beheiry who has been sentenced to five years' jail on… Read more
More tosh from WAM, the official Emirati news agency, which reports on a human rights symposium organised by the UAE's quasi-parliament, the Federal National Council (FNC).
WAM quotes Mohammed Ahmed al-Murr, speaker of the FNC, as saying that the UAE is "proud of its clean… Read more
In Egypt the Sisi regime's campaign against "religious extremism" has claimed another victim. On Saturday, TV presenter Islam El-Beheiry was sentenced to five years in jail on blasphemy charges.
The court case followed a complaint from al-Azhar that his show,… Read more
When making policy decisions it is generally a good idea to have as much input as possible from the people who are going to be affected. Listening to a broad range of views – not just those you want to hear – may seem like an unnecessary nuisance but it usually results in more workable policies.… Read more
Saudi newspapers are prominently reporting a speech given by King Salman yesterday, in which he made a series of absurd claims:
The Saudi government guarantees freedom of expression.
Saudi Arabia respects other religions.
The law does not discriminate between Saudi citizens and expatriates… Read more
Bahrain's leaders have been swift to congratulate David Cameron on his election victory in Britain. As soon as the results became known, King Hamad, his uncle Khalifa (the world's longest serving prime minister – 43 years in office) and the crown prince all dispatched cables "… Read more
This week’s meeting at Camp David between President Obama and leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council is still being described as a “summit”, though it has already slithered some way down from the mountain top. The Sultan of Oman and the president of the UAE are both too ill to attend and will be… Read more
No problem for those who have "nothing to hide"
Last week 20 rights organisations in Egypt issued a joint statement condemning "increasingly aggressive actions" by the Sisi regime to crack down on civil society activities. "The ongoing harassment of civil society in Egypt contradicts all claims… Read more
Photograph published by the Yemen Times, said to show Yemenis rounded up for deportation from Saudi Arabia in 2013.
In 2013 millions of foreigners living or working in Saudi Arabia were ordered to regularise their legal status or leave the country. Since then, hundreds of thousands have been… Read more
The Pakistani hajj application form – and its controversial question
Saudi Arabia has denounced Pakistan for asking Muslims to declare their sect when applying to take part in the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
An offensive question on Pakistan's hajj application form asks: "Are you Shia?" and… Read more
ARAB ART ONLINE: Susan Hefuna: Al Sabr Gamil (Patience is Beautiful) 2007. Ink stained on wood 140 x 170 cm. More information | Click to enlarge
