Sharqawy was eventually released on Oct. 29, after signing a written pledge not to hold religious ceremonies or Christian meetings in his house.

A highly informative article about the case from A-Z.

"at least this way we’ll be rid of him"

A hilarious posts that raises deep academic questions: "How much of this antipathy is attributable to deliberate misinformation, and poor education, and media which loves a sensation? Does what is ostensibly over zealous nationalism mask a deep insecurity, even a loss of identity?"

The rest of the time we listened to a bored police station employee (his exact job was unclear) hold forth on the press (“I read all the papers but trust [independent daily] El-Masry El-Youm most”) and press criticism of police violations (“Nobody is above criticism. Even doctors make mistakes and should be held to account”).

Every new crisis, every new tragedy in Egypt is a reprieve, a fresh start, another chance to put things right. It's never taken. Things are always and inevitably ballsed up, and back we are dragged to zero.

“Scientific inspections have established that pigs engage in group sex. Unfortunately, this bad habit has also spread in Western society.”

Sinai blogger remains in detention despite eighth release order.

ترجمة لتدوينة سارة كار من مدونة تفاهات عن أحداث يوم خطف فيليب رزق.

On Saturday morning, outside the public prosecution office an unpleasant state security officer said to Philip Rizk's father, “rabbina yetamminak” [may God comfort you]. He may of meant this genuinely, but coming from him it sounded like a warning, or a joke.

In adopting this identity these youths seem to be consciously rejecting Arab culture -- which after all, they perceive as having rejected them -- and embracing a world in which black is beautiful, successful and rich.

There has also been a backlash to the backlash against Egypt prompted by protests outside Egyptian embassies demonstrating against Egypt's policy in general, but its failure to open its border in particular. Funnily enough, many of the people I know who have taken umbrage at the attacks from abroad and are now banging the nationalist tub are the very same individuals who are most critical of the way that domestic issues are handled by the current regime.

HMLC seminar

Excellent article of the horrific incident.

Responses such as these are significant. They indicate an acknowledgement by the authorities of the extent to which young people have carved out an influential space for themselves online.