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Leila Fadel Leila Fadel is a host of Morning Edition, as well as NPR's morning news podcast Up First.
Leila Fadel, photographed for NPR, 2 May 2022, in Washington DC. Photo by Mike Morgan for NPR.
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Leila Fadel

Thursday

Africa

Egyptians Grown Weary Of Ongoing Political Clashes

Thousands of people have flooded the streets to protest Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi's government. But millions more are at home, trying to get through each day. Some blame protesters for stalling the transition, the nation and making Egypt an even less attractive place to invest.

Egyptians Grown Weary Of Ongoing Political Clashes

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Africa

Former Salafi Sings About His Identity Crisis

Former Salafi, turned rapper, Omar Kamal left the Salafi fold during Egypt's revolution. He says that when Salafis came out of the dark they showed their hypocrisy. To the rhythm of beat boxing, he uses his lyrics to chronicle his own identity crisis — a crisis that reflects Egypt's struggle to find itself.

Former Salafi Sings About His Identity Crisis

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Wednesday

Africa

Tunisia's Veil Ban: Frontline Of Identity War

At Manouba University on the outskirts of the Tunisian capital Tunis, the school's dean has vowed to uphold a rule that bars women from wearing a face veil in the classroom. Salafi students oppose the ban, and see this as a battle for freedom of religion. The issue is a microcosm of a much larger battle between the staunchly secular and the deeply pious in Tunisia.

Tunisia's Veil Ban: Frontline Of Identity War

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Tuesday

Africa

Egypt's Military Chief Warns That Protests Could Lead To Collapse Of The State

Egypt's Defense Minister has warned that the country is on the brink of collapse amid continued rioting and clashes between police and protesters in several major cities. More than 50 people have died over the past four days, most of them in Port Said, at the northern end of the Suez Canal.

Egypt's Military Chief Warns That Protests Could Lead To Collapse Of The State

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

A demonstrator shouts anti-government slogans as he stands in front of the Justice Ministry in the Tunisian capital, Tunis, on Nov. 6, 2012, as part of a demonstration by radical Salafi Muslims protesting against the imprisonment of hundreds of Salafist militants. Amine Landoulsi/AP hide caption

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Amine Landoulsi/AP

Africa

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

Critics call the country's Salafis a threat to the ideals of economic prosperity, civil liberties and gender equality. The Salafis insist that only their rigid interpretation of Islamic law can govern Muslims. Their stand puts Tunisia's moderate Islamist leaders in a difficult position.

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

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Monday

Africa

At Least 40 People Dead In Egypt As Violent Protests Continue

Amid continuing turmoil and violence in Egypt, the main opposition alliance has rejected dialogue with the government of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. Over the weekend, Morsi announced a state of emergency in the three main cities along the Suez Canal. One of those, Port Said, was the scene of major violence and there was more on Monday with police battling protesters.

At Least 40 People Dead In Egypt As Violent Protests Continue

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Africa

Egypt's Morsi Declares State Of Emergency

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has declared a state of emergency after a deadly bout of violence over the weekend left at least 50 dead in three cities the Suez Canal.

Egypt's Morsi Declares State Of Emergency

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Egypt's Salafis Emerge As Powerful And Controversial Political Force

A protester holds a Quran at a Salafi rally for the enforcement of Islamic Shariah law last fall in Cairo's Tahrir Square. Repressed during the rule of President Hosni Mubarak, the country's ultra-conservative Salafis have seen a resurgence since the Arab Spring uprising. Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters/Landov hide caption

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Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters/Landov

Africa

Egypt's Salafis Emerge As Powerful And Controversial Political Force

The ultra-conservative Muslims, whose influence has grown since the Arab Spring, aspire to a society ruled entirely by Islamic law. But 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

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Friday

Africa

Muslim Brotherhood Tries To Distract From Second Anniversary Of Egyptian Revolt

On the second anniversary of the Egyptian revolution on Friday, liberal and secular opposition groups held protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square. The Muslim Brotherhood did not hold counter-demonstrations this time. Instead, its members did charitable work in poor districts of Cairo and other cities.

Muslim Brotherhood Tries To Distract From Second Anniversary Of Egyptian Revolt

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Sunday

Court Overturns Life Sentence Against Egypt's Mubarak; Orders Retrial

Egyptians supporters of ousted former President Hosni Mubarak celebrate an appeal granted by a court in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday. Amr Nabil/AP hide caption

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Amr Nabil/AP

The Two-Way

Court Overturns Life Sentence Against Egypt's Mubarak; Orders Retrial

The decision to retry the strongman who was serving a life sentence for failing to stop the killing of protesters came as no surprise. Mubarak and his security chief will be tried again on criminal charges related to those deaths. The news was welcomed by both Mubarak loyalists and his most ardent opponents.

Wednesday

Middle East

Despite Protests, Egypt Has A New Constitution

After weeks of protests and intermittent violence, Egypt officially has a new constitution. Election officials say the Islamist-backed constitution passed a referendum with nearly 64 percent in favor. Secularists fear the charter would usher in Islamic rule and restrict freedoms.

Despite Protests, Egypt Has A New Constitution

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Saturday

Morsi Wins And Loses After Egypt Passes Draft Constitution

Egyptians wait in line to vote on a new draft constitution in Giza, south of Cairo, on Saturday. Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Morsi Wins And Loses After Egypt Passes Draft Constitution

The Islamist-backed constitution has polarized the nation. Critics say the document neglects human rights and reform, while expanding the role of Islam in the document. There seemed to be no question, however, that the document would pass.

Monday

Is Morsi Morphing Into Authoritarian He Opposed?

Egyptian protesters hold a banner depicting Morsi as a pharaoh, during a rally expressing opposition to Morsi's decrees, in Cairo, on Nov. 23. Andre Pain/EPA/Landov hide caption

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Andre Pain/EPA/Landov

Africa

Is Morsi Morphing Into Authoritarian He Opposed?

Once referred to as the Muslim Brotherhood's "spare tire," Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has proven much more formidable than many Egyptians expected. But critics say his latest moves, including one to push through a hastily drafted constitution, could tear Egypt apart.

Is Morsi Morphing Into Authoritarian He Opposed?

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Middle East

Egypt's Draft Constitution Divides Nation

President Mohammed Morsi is facing the biggest rebellion against his rule since assuming power in June. It started with a set of controversial decrees by the president that put him above the law until a constitution is in place. The move has polarized the country and every judge in the country is on strike. Critics say the president is pushing through an illegitimate constitution.

Egypt's Draft Constitution Divides Nation

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Friday

Middle East

Egypt's Constitution Vote Mired In Controversy

Mohammed Morsi was dismissed by many Egyptians when he stood in the country's first free election after the ouster of the Mubarak regime. Morsi was seen as lacking charisma and was referred to as the Muslim Brotherhood's spare tire, since he wasn't the group's first choice for president. But Morsi has been able to rock the system. He ousted Egypt's top generals, reshuffled the military ranks and now picked what appears to be the perfect time to override the courts and push through a constitution.

Egypt's Constitution Vote Mired In Controversy

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