Bassem Raafat Muhammad Youssef the 39 year old Egyptian cardiac surgeon, satirist, and TV host of El Bernameg a satirical news program broadcasted by Egyptian television was summoned and interrogated by Egyptian authorities after being charged with insulting President Mohamed Morsi, denigrating Islam, and spreading false news. Abby Ohlheiser in an article published on Slate titled ‘"Egypt's Jon Stewart" Has It Tougher Than America's Version’ states “… out on bail now, but activists and critics are watching this one closely for the precedent it sets on the new government's stance towards freedom of expression. …He's commonly called the Egyptian version of Jon Stewart, and for good reason: Youssef modeled his widely-watched show after his comedic idol's Daily Show. …Youssef is also a heart surgeon who treated the wounded after a notoriously brutal attempt by the Mubarak regime to drive protesters from Tahrir square. … Youssef turns his satirical eye toward those in power, whether that means mocking the military, or its elected successors, the current government who took office in June. Now, it looks like Youssef could become the most prominent test case for the new Muslim Brotherhood-led government's commitment to the democratic process that put it into power. Egyptian journalists, as the BBC explains, have already argued that the new Islamist-influenced constitution doesn't do nearly enough to protect freedom of the press, expression, or religious minorities in the country. …Youssef, who is Muslim, [states] "We are not the ones who insult religion, all we do is expose the channels that have misused religion and harmed it more than anyone else. If there is anyone who has insulted religion it is those who use Islam as a weapon for political reasons." … Youssef posted a tweet in English to his one million-plus followers saying he was "touched by people's support and media attention, however, there are many more activists being prosecuted that deserve to get that support."  Inspired by Abby Ohlheiser, Slate ow.ly/k6BVR Image source TheWorld ow.ly/k6BR3 We are not the ones who insult religion (May 7 2013)

Bassem Raafat Muhammad Youssef the 39 year old Egyptian cardiac surgeon, satirist, and TV host of El Bernameg a satirical news program broadcasted by Egyptian television was summoned and interrogated by Egyptian authorities after being charged with insulting President Mohamed Morsi, denigrating Islam, and spreading false news. Abby Ohlheiser in an article published on Slate titled ‘”Egypt’s Jon Stewart” Has It Tougher Than America’s Version’ states “… out on bail now, but activists and critics are watching this one closely for the precedent it sets on the new government’s stance towards freedom of expression. …He’s commonly called the Egyptian version of Jon Stewart, and for good reason: Youssef modeled his widely-watched show after his comedic idol’s Daily Show. …Youssef is also a heart surgeon who treated the wounded after a notoriously brutal attempt by the Mubarak regime to drive protesters from Tahrir square. … Youssef turns his satirical eye toward those in power, whether that means mocking the military, or its elected successors, the current government who took office in June. Now, it looks like Youssef could become the most prominent test case for the new Muslim Brotherhood-led government’s commitment to the democratic process that put it into power. Egyptian journalists, as the BBC explains, have already argued that the new Islamist-influenced constitution doesn’t do nearly enough to protect freedom of the press, expression, or religious minorities in the country. …Youssef, who is Muslim, [states] “We are not the ones who insult religion, all we do is expose the channels that have misused religion and harmed it more than anyone else. If there is anyone who has insulted religion it is those who use Islam as a weapon for political reasons.” … Youssef posted a tweet in English to his one million-plus followers saying he was “touched by people’s support and media attention, however, there are many more activists being prosecuted that deserve to get that support.”

 

Inspired by Abby Ohlheiser, Slate ow.ly/k6BVR Image source TheWorld ow.ly/k6BR3