Last chance for calm
Nevine Khalil and Soha Abdelaty report on Cairo's efforts to convince Iraq that full co-operation with UN weapons inspectors is the only way to go

Opposition MPs ready their guns
Several cabinet ministers will soon be facing the wrath of opposition MPs. But, as Gamal Essam El-Din reports, the parliamentary opposition remains both divided and disheartened

To feel safe, again
Egypt is under the gun again for its human rights record. But, asks Amira Howeidy, does this change facts on the ground?

Police hit 'spy ring'
Nine Egyptians are expected to stand trial before a state security court on charges of spying for Israel. Jailan Halawi reviews the case

What really happened
How did the Israeli army kill UN worker Iain Hook last week? Jonathan Cook seeks answers in Jenin

Who's playing hide and seek?
With United Nations weapons inspectors resuming their mission in Iraq, Saddam Hussein's hour of truth seems near, writes Salah Hemeid

Turning on the house of Saud
An FBI probe and strained relations -- Lamis Andoni traces the roots of the anti-Saudi campaign in the US

Miriam as human shield
Jonathan Cook, in Jenin, uncovers chilling facts on the killing of Iyad Sawalha, leader of Al-Quds Brigades

Embers of unease
A strike by Britain's fire-fighters threatens Tony Blair's New Labour project and promises to further erode support from his working class constituency, reports James Corbett from London

Losing Russia
Hydar Jemal (or Geidar Jemal as he is known in Russian transcription) is a philosopher, public figure, ideologist of political Islam and chairman of the Russian Islamic Committee. He talked to Shohdy Naguib in Moscow of the Arab states' political ineptitude vis-à-vis Russia

Beyond salvation
The sectarian violence that resulted in the cancellation of the Miss World beauty pageant in Nigeria threw into sharp focus the country's ominous religious divide, writes Gamal Nkrumah

Kicking and screaming
Anti-war activists in the US and Europe are making sure that if a US-led coalition goes into Iraq, a considerable portion of the public will not go quietly

Re-opening Pandora's box
Economists and the business community agree that a US attack on Iraq could spell disaster for the Egyptian economy, but disagree on the extent of the damage. Al-Ahram Weekly investigates

At the tip of a knife
Tourism industry insiders fear the industry could be dealt a devastating blow in the event of a military strike against Iraq. Rehab Saad reports

Piety for the young and affluent
A new wave of trendy Islamic preachers has been targeting upper middle class young people -- with considerable success. Gihan Shahine investigates the phenomenon, and interviews Amr Khaled, the trendiest and, until recently, most successful of them all

Preaching with a passion
In an exclusive interview with Al-Ahram Weekly, Amr Khaled speaks of how he became a star preacher, and explains his own perspective of da'wa

Ramadan with a global touch
Ramadan, the nation's longest holy season, has always had its festive side. But now the glamourous side of the month is finding its way into home decoration, says Nesmahar Sayed

Amelia's legacy
The Egypt Exploration Fund was founded 120 years ago. Jill Kamil traces some of the highlights of its achievements from the pioneering era to today's meticulously planned investigations