Muslim Brotherhood

Egypt Ratchets Up Case Against Satirist, Threatens To Close TV Station

Steve Mullis — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 23:17:00 +0000

Egyptian authorities are stepping up efforts against a popular TV comedian known as the "Egyptian Jon Stewart" and are now threatening to revoke the license of the private TV station that airs his weekly program.

As we reported Sunday, satirist Bassem Youssef was questioned for five hours over accusations he insulted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and Islam.

Morsi's opponents say Youssef's questioning, along with arrest warrants issued against five anti-government activist

'Egypt's Jon Stewart' Questioned For Five Hours

Melisa Goh — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 18:59:00 +0000

After nearly five hours of questioning, the satirist known as the "Egyptian Jon Stewart" was released on bail Sunday.

Bassem Youssef is charged with insulting Islam and President Mohammed Morsi. He's among the most prominent critics of Egypt's Islamist president to be called in for questioning recently, prompting concerns that the president is cracking down on his detractors and members of the opposition.

Youssef is a doctor-turned-celebrity who came by his star status by lampooning public figures and the media.

Egypt Looks To Secure Loan As Feeding Families Gets Harder

Merrit Kennedy — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 12:43:00 +0000

Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

This is WEEKEND EDITION from NPR News. I'm Scott Simon. The Egyptian military's been deployed to the streets of Port Said today. Riots erupted in that city last night just northeast of Cairo after a controversial court verdict. At least 25 people have been reported dead. The violence comes amid mass street protests in Egypt against the ruling Muslim Brotherhood.

It is a challenging time for the Egyptian government. The country's grappling with serious budget deficit in order to secure a $4.8 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund.

Constitution Vote Seen As Referendum On Egyptian Brotherhood

Leila Fadel — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 21:17:00 +0000

Update Dec. 23, at 5:30 a.m.:

Egypt's constitution appears to have passed with 64 percent of Egyptians voting "yes," according to preliminary results issued by state-run media. But the document passed under a cloud of controversy as the opposition to the Islamist-backed document cried fraud.

Once official results are announced, President Mohammed Morsi is expected to give up his all-inclusive powers. A set of controversial decrees he issued last month, that effectively put him above the law, will be void when the constitution is adopted.

As Egypt Prepares To Vote, Only One Side Seems Organized

Dina Salah ElDin — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:15:00 +0000

For three consecutive weeks, the Egyptian opposition has called mass protests against a controversial draft constitution that Egyptians are being asked to vote on beginning Saturday.

At each rally, protesters chanted against the document and its key proponents: The Muslim Brotherhood and President Mohamed Morsi, who was among the group's leaders before he was elected Egypt's president.

But the opposition appears to be losing momentum, while the Islamists still appear to be going strong.

The Brotherhood's approach to the campaign has been to place colorful pamphlets in mailboxes, urging p