In a letter sent this week to Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, PEN America and more than 120 writers and artists from around the world demanded the release of novelist Ahmed Naji, currently sentenced to two years in prison for…
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Egyptian Puppet Charged With “Violating Public Morality”
A wildly popular satirical puppet who appears on Egyptian television is being called into court on June 26, accused of “violating public morality” with her bawdy jokes. The case against Abla Fahita (Aunt Fajita) was brought by lawyer Samir Sabry,…
2016 Freedom of Expression Awards Shortlist
The shortlist for Index on Censorship’s 2016 Freedom of Expression Awards has been announced. An international organization dedicated to free speech around the world, the award celebrates the individuals who have challenged censorship and stood up for freedom of expression.…
Egyptian Author Goes Back to Court for “Harming Public Morality”
Egyptian novelist Ahmed Naji and newspaper editor Tarek e-Taher are going back to court to be retried for allegedly “harming public morality” just a few short weeks after being acquitted of the same charges. Naji and el-Taher were first brought…
Egyptian Novelist Acquitted of “Harming Public Morality”
Last week, Egyptian novelist Ahmed Naji and Tarek el-Taher, a newspaper editor who printed an excerpt from Naji’s book Use of Life, were acquitted on charges of “harming public morality.” The charges had been brought on behalf of a reader…
Author’s Conspiracy Theory Seminar Cancelled By Egyptian Government
Freedom of expression is once again under attack in Egypt. Last week, pressure from authorities forced the shutdown of best-selling Egyptian author Alaa al-Aswany’s monthly seminar “Conspiracy Theory between Reality and Illusion” at Jesuit’s Cultural Center in Alexandria. The move…
Lawyer Challenges Egyptian Constitution over Racy Excerpt
This past weekend, Egyptian writer Ahmed Naji went to court to face charges that an excerpt of his novel The Use of Life violates decency laws. Naji is facing a two-year jail sentence and a 10,000 Egyptian pound ($1,245) fine,…
Egyptian Novelist Sent to Court for Racy Excerpt
Egyptian writer Ahmed Naji faces up to two years in prison and a fine of 10,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $1,245) for the publication of an excerpt of his novel The Use of Life, which an Egyptian prosecutor considers too racy…
Egypt’s Garage Dedicated to Creative Freedom in Comics
We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: the international hot spot for vibrant, surreal indie comics, for the past several years at least, is the Middle East and North Africa. Much of the innovation comes from Egypt, where occasionally…