Leila Fadel

From The Heart Of Egypt's Revolt, The Pulse Of Artistic Life

Leila Fadel — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:39:00 +0000

Egypt's capital, Cairo, is now synonymous with protests and sometimes violence. Late at night, the once-bustling downtown streets are largely empty these days.

How Different Cultures Handle Personal Space

Leila Fadel and NPR Staff — Sun, 05 May 2013 09:24:00 +0000

Our perspectives on personal space — the distance we keep between the person in front of us at an ATM, the way we subdivide the area of an elevator — are often heavily influenced by the norms of the places we inhabit.

Jerry Seinfeld once focused an episode of his sitcom on the concept of personal space, giving us a new term: the "close talker."

Of course, invasions of personal space aren't always merely awkward.

Egyptian Activists: Our Religion Is None Of Your Business

Leila Fadel — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:55:00 +0000

Since Egypt's revolution began, tensions among Egypt's Muslims and Christians have only increased. Earlier this month, it once again turned deadly. Tit-for-tat killings left three Muslims and at least six Christians dead.

That and other religious violence is prompting a public debate about religious identity in Egypt. One group of young Egyptians wants to remove religious labels from national ID cards.

'Where The Trouble Starts'

Aalam Wassef, one of those advocates, will gladly tell you he's a video artist, a musician and a publisher.

Egypt's Jon Stewart Says He Won't Back Down Amid Charges

Leila Fadel — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:21:00 +0000

It's 9:30 p.m. on a Friday night, and Bassem Youssef's show is on TV screens at cafes throughout downtown Cairo.

It's the Egyptian political satirist's first show since he was summoned to the prosecutor general's office to answer questions about the jokes he makes on TV.

Egypt Negotiates Necessary IMF Loan

Leila Fadel — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:19:00 +0000

Two years after the revolution, Egypt is in a deep economic crisis.

Islamists Say They Are Filling Vacuum Left By Egyptian State

Leila Fadel — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:44:00 +0000

In the lush Nile Valley city of Assiut, the police went on strike earlier this month, along with thousands of other cops across the country. They demanded the ouster of the minister of interior, and more guns and equipment to deal with anti-government protests.

A group of hard-line Islamists then stunned the city, which is south of Cairo, by promising to handle security during the strike. The next day, the policemen were back at work.

But the group, Gamaa al-Islamiya, says it will continue to provide services when the government fails.

In Post-Revolution Egypt, Fears Of Police Abuse Deepening

Leila Fadel — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 08:02:00 +0000

Egypt's police force was the underpinning of former President Hosni Mubarak's iron-fisted regime, and it quickly became the enemy of Egypt's 2011 revolution.

Yet there has been little to no reform of the police force to date. Human rights groups say the police have begun to act like armed gangs, laying down collective punishment in restive areas across the country. But the police say they are the victims, under constant attack by anti-government protesters.

On Feb.

For The First Time In Decades, Iran's President Visits Egypt

Leila Fadel — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 22:26:00 +0000

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday became the first Iranian leader to visit Egypt since the 1970s, the latest sign of the thawing of relations between the rival Muslim nations.

Ahmadinejad received a red-carpet welcome as Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi greeted him on the tarmac at Cairo International Airport with a kiss on each cheek.

Under Egypt's former leader, Hosni Mubarak, a visit like this would never have happened.

Egypt is a leading Sunni Muslim nation, while Iran is the most influential Shiite Muslim country.

Tunisia's Salafis: 'A Danger' Or Preachers Of God's Law?

Leila Fadel — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 08:32:00 +0000

The uprisings of the Arab Spring unleashed a new political force in the region — Salafis, ultraconservative Muslims who aspire to a society ruled entirely by a rigid form of Islamic law. Their models are the salaf, or ancestors, referring to the earliest Muslims who lived during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad.

To their critics, the Salafis are religious fanatics who are trying to drag the region back to 7th century Arabia.

Egypt's Salafis Emerge As Powerful, And Controversial, Political Force

Leila Fadel — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:30:00 +0000
The uprisings of the Arab Spring unleashed a new political force in the region — Salafis. These ultra-conservative Muslims aspire to a society ruled entirely by a rigid form of Islamic law. Their models are the salaf, or ancestors, referring to the earliest Muslims who lived during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad.
To their critics, the Salafis are religious fanatics who are trying to drag the region back to 7th-century Arabia.

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.

Is Morsi Morphing Into Authoritarian He Opposed?

Leila Fadel — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 22:19:00 +0000
When Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi was elected, some Egyptians jokingly referred to him as the Muslim Brotherhood's "spare tire." He was the backup candidate of the Islamist organization, whose first choice for the presidency was barred from running.
But Morsi has proved much more formidable than many Egyptians believed.
Before becoming president, Morsi was unaccustomed to the limelight, something that was clear during his first press conference after being elected last summer.

Egypt's Constitution Vote Mired In Controversy

Leila Fadel — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:04:00 +0000
Transcript
DAVID GREENE, HOST:
And in Egypt, a panel of Islamist lawmakers has approved a new draft constitution, but what should have been a welcome step in the country's transition to democracy is instead mired in controversy.

Egyptian Judges Prepare For A Strike

Leila Fadel — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000
After a series of controversial decrees by Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi, the country's judges are conflicted over what to do.
The president and Egypt's highest judicial authority met Monday to try to resolve the crisis, but the decrees, which essentially nullify judicial oversight, remained in place. And the judges are going ahead with plans for a strike.
Yussef Auf has been a judge for 10 years and says he has never witnessed such an affront to his profession.
"It's the biggest attack on the judges so far I've seen in my life.

Burst Of Protest In Egypt But No Revolution, Yet

Leila Fadel — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 22:48:00 +0000
Cairo's Tahrir Square was nearly empty as the sun rose Saturday. A few demonstrators camped out overnight after mass protests on Friday condemned controversial decrees by Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi.
Earlier this week, Morsi gave himself unchecked powers until a constitution is written and passed by a popular referendum — in about two months. He also decreed that neither the body writing the constitution nor the upper house of Parliament could be dissolved by the courts.
That set off angry demonstrations.

Protests Erupt In Egypt After President Expands Powers

Leila Fadel — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 22:32:00 +0000
Thousands of protesters flooded into the streets of Egypt on Friday — some in support of President Mohammed Morsi, others condemning what they called a vast power grab by the president that puts Egypt on the path to one-man rule.

Egypt's President Plays Big Role In Gaza Ceasefire

Leila Fadel — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 09:45:00 +0000
The cease-fire between Hamas and Israel has been a political boost for Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi. The Islamist leader spent hours in meetings and on the phone with world leaders, including President Obama, and got results: a cessation of violence that puts Egypt back on the international map. But Morsi faces a test Thursday night, when negotiations on the details begin.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called it "a critical moment for the region" after the cease-fire deal was announced in Cairo.

Egypt Tries To Help Hamas Broker A Cease-Fire

Leila Fadel — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:38:00 +0000
Egypt has stepped up negotiations on a cease-fire between Israel and the Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip on Monday. Hamas' top leader and two senior Israeli envoys were in Cairo and met separately with Egyptian officials, including President Mohammed Morsi. One of Morsi's aides said a truce deal could be imminent.

Price Hikes Lead To Deadly Protests In Jordan

Leila Fadel — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 09:47:00 +0000
Jordan's monarchy has largely dodged the waves of unrest that began with the Arab Spring. But this week, angry protestors flooded the streets after the king announced gas hikes to cover deficits caused by declining aid from Persian Gulf states. For the first time, there are cries to oust the king.

Vigilantes Spray Paint Sexual Harassers In Cairo

Leila Fadel — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:38:00 +0000
Over the recent four-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, more than 1,000 sexual harassment complaints were filed in Egypt.
President Mohammed Morsi has ordered an investigation, but some are not prepared to wait for the government and the police to act.
Young men have formed vigilant

Will The '24-Hour City' Of Cairo Call It A Night?

Leila Fadel — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 17:33:00 +0000
When the sun goes down, Cairo bursts to life. Men play backgammon and smoke water pipes. Young fashionistas meet friends for midnight coffees. Families go shopping with small kids in tow.
Life in the Egyptian capital is lived at night. Last year, one study rated Cairo the "most 24-hour city" in the world. New York City trailed far behind at No. 32.
But Cairenes might soon be forced to call it a night early.

Libya To Disband Rogue Groups

Leila Fadel — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 09:07:00 +0000
Violent protests in eastern Libya have set in motion a movement to take back the nation from dozens of militias born from the revolt against strongman Moammar Gadhafi. Since the dictator's demise, Libya has been beholden to men with guns.
The transitional state is weak, and it depends on the militias to help secure the streets. The state has now promised to integrate the militias into the security forces.
Gunfire rang through the air over the weekend as demonstrators stormed the base of a government-aligned militia.

Libyan Militiaman Says He Warned U.S. Of Dangers

Leila Fadel — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 21:21:00 +0000
Two days before the deadly Sept. 11 attack on Americans in Libya, three U.S.

Libyan Group Denies Role In U.S. Consulate Attack

Leila Fadel — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 09:14:00 +0000
Ansar al-Sharia, the ultraconservative armed Islamist group accused of taking part in the attack that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans in Benghazi, Libya, denies it was involved. But the group's leadership stopped short of condemning the deadly attack. A top U.S. counterterrorism official says they are looking at the group in connection with the assault.
Ansar al-Sharia is one of the most powerful Islamist militias in eastern Libya. The brigade claims hundreds of men who fought, with U.S.

Consulate Attack Preplanned, Libya's President Says

Leila Fadel — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 11:35:00 +0000
Libya's president says he believes al-Qaida is behind a deadly attack in eastern Libya that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other U.S. staffers.
In an exclusive interview with NPR in Benghazi, President Mohammed el-Megarif says foreigners infiltrated Libya over the past few months, planned the attack and used Libyans to carry it out.
Wearing the traditional long white robe of men in Libya, Megarif is visibly exhausted when we speak to him at his home in Benghazi. As he describes the ambush on the U.S.

Egyptian Leader Stirs Tensions On First Visit To Iran

Leila Fadel — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:57:00 +0000
Transcript
MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:
Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi caused a diplomatic stir today in Tehran, opening a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. Morsi denounced the Syrian regime, calling it oppressive and illegitimate. That prompted an angry walk-out by the Syrian delegation. And Morsi's comments cannot have pleased the summit's hosts either.

Egypt's President Recalibrates Foreign Policy

Leila Fadel — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 09:53:00 +0000
Transcript
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Well, the new president of Egypt is traveling overseas and Mohammed Morsi appears to be setting a new course for his country in international affairs - or at least trying to. He's reaching out to adversaries and allies, and trying to bring back his country's diplomatic importance. NPR's Leila Fadel has the story.
LEILA FADEL, BYLINE: Today, Egypt's President, Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood, is in China. He plans to address the bloody civil war in Syria.

Egypt's New Leader Accused Of Censorship

Leila Fadel — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:52:00 +0000
Egypt's first democratically elected president is under fire for trying to silence his critics. In the last two weeks, a satellite TV channel was pulled off the air, two journalists were referred to criminal court for defamation and a state newspaper was accused of censoring columns critical of President Mohammed Morsi.

Egypt's New Leader Struggles To Fulfill Big Promises

Leila Fadel — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 10:31:00 +0000
Egypt's new Islamist president, Mohammed Morsi, has made sweeping promises to the Egyptian people, saying he'll improve the quality of their lives during his first 100 days in office.
Morsi has been busy on several fronts, but he has only a few weeks left to fulfill those big pledges.
His promises have come in nightly radio broadcasts during the holy month of Ramadan.