2 - 8 October 2003 [658]
Graphic version | Current issue | Previous issue
Crossed roads
Palestinians passed the third year of the Intifada this week seeking leadership -- they didn't find it. Graham Usher reports from Jerusalem'What are we waiting for, assembled in the forum?'
Tamim Al-Barghouti ,in New York, attends the funeral service for Edward Said
Working from within
A shuttle visit to the Gulf brought Cairo and leading Arab capitals up to speed on the latest developments in the regionWinds of change
The NDP's annual conference ended on an upbeat note, as President Mubarak called for new reforms. Nevine Khalil reportsEbeid's last stand?
NDP insiders and opposition figures alike told Al-Ahram Weekly that Prime Minister Atef Ebeid's government's survival depends on the way it deals with rising prices and the dollar squeezeSecond year success
Gamal Mubarak and the NDP's young reformists seem to have shifted the balance of power within the ruling party. Gamal Essam El-Din reports'Too little, too late'
The NDP now has to prove that its promises for political reform are more than just hot air, political analysts told Omayma Abdel-LatifEconomic Intifada
Egyptians marking the Intifada's third anniversary seized the opportunity to protest their own government's policies. Amira Howeidy reportsEgyptian at last?
A long-awaited amendment to the Egyptian Nationality Law is about to become a reality. Reem Leila examines the chances of children born to foreign fathers becoming EgyptianFirst-year German U
The new German University in Cairo will be offering a German curriculum, taught in English, with a focus on science and technology. Shaden Shehab examines the ambitious educational endeavour's prospects for successA tale of two mosques
After four years of intensive restoration two mosques in the Al-Sayeda Zeinab district of Cairo have officially reopened. Nevine El-Aref attended the opening ceremonyMediterranean festival
A year-long celebration of Egyptian-Italian cultural exchange kicked off this week. Nevine El-Aref was there...Newsreel
As chairperson of the National Council for Women (NCW), Mrs Suzanne Mubarak yesterday celebrated the first Rural Women's Day in Qena which will be annually marked on 1 October, reports Reem Leila ...Denouncing a show trial
Imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouthi delivered an eloquent defense of himself and the Intifada before an Israeli court. Khaled Amayreh reports from JerusalemA near deal
A much publicised swap of individuals held by both Israel and Hizbullah brought hope to families on both sides, but Tehran is in two minds about it. Mohalhel Fakih reports form BeirutLight at the end of the tunnel
The Sudanese government and its chief armed opposition group finalised an agreement on security that is designed to end Africa's longest-running conflict, writes Gamal NkrumahWorld Bank wants reform
The world's top financial organisations call on the Arabs to change their social and political traditions. Mohamed Darwish writes from DubaiFraming takes time
A six-months time frame for Iraqis to write a new constitution is a good idea, but are Iraqis willing to wait, asks Salah HemeidNeighbourly disaffection
Syria walks a thin line when it comes to Iraq says Imad Fawzi Shoeibi , as it tries not to legitimise the status quoCity of fire
Despite its vast oil fields, the city of black gold suffers from a chaotic present and an unknown future. Nermine Al-Mufti reports from Kirkuk
US report optimistic, despite slowdown
The US Embassy in Cairo issued its annual Economic Trends Report on Egypt, forecasting improved growth rates should current reform attempts gain momentum. Niveen Wahish reportsOptic illusions?
Do the latest figures on the Egyptian economy herald recovery or signal crisis? asks Salah El-AmrousiBright prospects for natural gas
Natural gas projects in Egypt are experiencing a boom. Sherine Nasr reports
Sectarianism explodes
Sectarianism rears its ugly head again in Pakistan, reports Iffat Idris from IslamabadUS to appeal Moussaoui decision
Last week's decision by the US Justice Department not to oppose the dismissal of charges against Zacarias Moussaoui, alleged '20th hijacker' in the 11 September attacks, may be part of a strategy to gain his conviction by other means, writes David Tresilian in ParisArgentina in the red
Investors indignantly reject Argentina's offer for bond repayment. They would do well to reconsider, Hisham El-Naggar suggests from Buenos AiresArab flags over Detroit
In the first conference of its kind, Arabs and Americans together scrutinised their dysfunctional relationship. Dina Ezzat reports from DetroitInappropriate appropriations
The Bush administration feels the heat over its Iraq policy as it seeks $87 billion for military and reconstruction costs. Khaled Dawoud reports from WashingtonGuantanamo probe intensifies
Fears of a widespread security breach at Guantanamo Bay continue to grow, reports Jaideep Mukerji
Agenda for the future
The president's address to the NDP congress was a classic example of boldness of vision, writes Ibrahim NafieA conditioned Camp David
Hassan Nafaa revisits the probable and improbable in Egypt's peace with IsraelIs Zionism dead?
The inability to cope with new global and regional givens is causing confusion not only in Arab ranks, but also among Israelis. Mohamed Sid-Ahmed commentsDialectics of terror
Shahid Alam argues that reversing injustice -- both in the region and the world at large -- requires Americans to recognise the destructive effects of capitalism, Zionism and the war on terrorismFighting for humanity
Why is religious fundamentalism on the rise, and how can we defeat terrorism, asks Nawal El-SaadawiWashington's neo-Trotskyites
The US might be changing political tack but Palestine is the one thing the neo-cons and the moderates agree upon, writes Gamil MattarA stalwart of journalism
After a career spanning six decades, Mahmoud Murad pays tribute to the man who experienced a "meeting of minds" with Gamal Abdel-NasserCorrection
Al-Ahram Weekly apologises for a number of errors which occured in Samir Amin's article "WTO's recipe for world hunger"...Editorial: Untimely tirade
US Secretary of State Colin Powell's remarks at the US-Arab Economic Forum in Detroit left much to be desired...Close up
The Intifada continues
The Palestinian Intifada has entered its fourth year and those in the Arab world and international community who believe that it has delayed the creation of a Palestinian state have yet to present any alternative...
By Salama A SalamaSoapbox
Our finest moment
The anniversary of the 1973 war is upon us, a day on which the country proudly celebrates one of its finest moments...
By Abdel-Alim MohamedChildhood friends
My childhood friends, alas. The vast majority of them passed away at various stages of my life...
By Naguib MahfouzBahgory One-line: EDWARD SAID
Rights and remembrance
The Egyptian press devoted a good deal of space to President Mubarak's pledges for political reform. But the country's papers did not forget to remember President Nasser, writes Gamal NkrumahGone the moralist
The Arab press, writes Omayma Abdel-Latif , mourned the death of famed Palestinian intellectual Edward Said and dared to guess what the future will be like without himBottom Lines
Quotes from the Arab press
Promontory in the infinite
Creator, mentor, historical agent of justice: in these grieving tributes by his friends and admirers, some of the most prominent figures in the Arab world and beyond, Edward Said emerges as a man who defies description. A Palestinian who never lived in Palestine, an American alienated by the new world order, a citizen of the world whose devotion to Palestine never undermined his loyalty to humanity: Said conquered the Western academy only to become the proverbial father of the Palestine to come, complementing scholarly glory with direct engagement with the turmoil at hand. Arab poets, scholars, political commentators, and the Israeli Chief Conductor for Life of the Staatskapelle Berlin, recollect their inevitably enriching encounters with Said
A world of my own
My mother blamed it on her mother; the doctors indicated it was measles...
By Jenny JobbinsShelter from the Starbuck's syndrome
Fatemah Farag runs away from latté and into the arms of coffee with milkChicken with Mustard Sauce
Weekly recipe
By Moushira Abdel-MalekAfterplay
Carefree summers are invariably followed by despairing autumns for children who detest the restricting confines of school, homework and shorter days. Gamal Nkrumah seeks ways out of the labyrinth
Urban matters
Fatemah Farag considers the dark side of city lifeFor the disposessed
In an exclusive interview with Al-Ahram Weekly, UN-HABITAT Executive Director Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka explains how the urban poor can be assets in urban developmentThe black hole
Do those living in shanty housing areas have rights to the property that is their only home? Dena Rashed crosses open sewage trenches and searches within plastic-sheet houses for an answerMaking a city livable
Yasmine El-Rashidi looks into the changes the Sustainable Cities Project has brought to the city of Ismailia
Save our heritage in the Holy Land
Four years ago an eight-ton baptismal font sacred to both Muslims and Christians disappeared from its home on the West Bank. Only now is the full story emerging, writes Jerry Levin from HebronDig days: In response to Fletcher's theory
There has been a great furore over Joan Fletcher's recent announcement that she had discovered the mummy of Nefertiti...
Does it all add up?
On Saturday, Egypt will make its debut at the All-Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria. Inas Mazhar reports on the expected medal tallyNothing but victories
After five games, Zamalek top the table with a perfect record. Nashwa Abdel-Tawab sees what the club is doing rightBreifs
The ninth finswimming long distance championship ended in Alexandria on Saturday with Russia coming out on top with six gold medals, two silver and one bronze...
All aboard
On the 100th anniversary of the first railroad, Egypt hosted a conference on railway systems and how the country measured up to the rest of the world. Since this mode of transport had become vital, Al-Ahram provided extensive coverage of the event and as a result, writes Professor Yunan Labib Rizk , many eyes were trained on it
Aziz Sidqi: Industrious still
The challenge was to turn vision into reality
Profile by Gamal NkrumahPack of Cards
By Madame SosostrisLimelight
By Lubna Abdel-Aziz