Here are some examples of El Koshary Today’s  ingenious satire:

- Egyptian grooms can now complain to the Consumer Protection Agency if their brides “are missing a hymen, or are otherwise faulty,” according to the new law.

- If sentenced, a vegetarian from Zamalek will be jailed on charges of blasphemy, plant hatred, terrorism, and intentionally trying to harm the food chain.

- Wealthy residents from a compound in Western Cairo decided that the best way to end the rampant economic inequality in Egypt was to declare independence from Egypt.

- New nation formed with the lofty purpose of ending class divisions collapses into mayhem and anarchy after two dire weeks where maids, gardeners, drivers and other service workers were prevented from getting through the new border due to harsh visa requirements faced by Egyptians.

El Koshary Today

The government of Egypt banned Inside Egypt in 2008–the first time a book on Egyptian politics had been banned in the country in decades–and quickly rescinded it after the media firestorm that followed.

Most experts believe that in the next year or so, Hosni Mubarak will step down and that his son, Gamal is the favorite to take the reins. In Inside Egypt, John Bradley examines the junctions of Egyptian politics and society as they slowly disintegrate under the twin pressures of a ruthless military dictatorship at home and a flawed Middle East policy in Washington.

“Terrifically well told and extremely sobering” –Kirkus

“In this highly readable and thoughtful volume, Bradley provides a devastating critique of Egypt’s current dictatorial government.”–Library Journal

“An interesting and eye-opening look into the minds of the average Egyptian.”—The Oklahoman

“Insightful and eye-opening…a must read for anyone interested in Egyptian politics.”—The Daily News, Egypt

“Inside Egypt is an original, angry, brilliant, subtle, and highly readable expose of contemporary Egyptian politics and society.”–Peter Bergen, author of Holy War Inc. and The Osama bin Laden I Know

“Egypt is the next domino to fall and, as they say, so goes Egypt so goes the Middle East. John R. Bradley hits the nail on the head, explaining why a pillar of American dominance in that part of the world is about to crumble.” –Robert Baer, former Middle East-based CIA operative, author of See No Evil and Sleeping with the Devil

Praise for Saudi Arabia Exposed:
“A highly informed, temperate, and understanding account of a country that. . . is an enigma.”–The New York Times

“Contributes substantially to the debate.”–Los Angeles Times
“[A] thoughtful, incisive portrait of a fractured nation….a remarkable volume.”–Newsweek

“The book is a devastating critique of almost every aspect of Egyptian governance since 1952… A must read for anyone interested in Egyptian politics.” –The Daily News

“An interesting and eye-opening look into the minds of the average Egyptian.” –NewsOk.com

“Scheherazade: Tell Me a Story,” screened at the Venice film festival outside the main competition, tells the story of Hebba, a successful talk-show host whose husband urges her to steer clear of politics in order to forward his own career.

As the deputy editor of a state-run newspaper in Cairo, Karim has been told by officials he is in line for the top job as long as his wife tones down the provocative content of her popular television slot. But by inviting women to tell their personal, tragic stories, she unwittingly exposes fundamental flaws in Egyptian society where, the film argues, women are treated as sexual trophies and used and abused as men see fit.

When a man who tricks one of the women in order to extort money turns out to be a senior party figure, Hebba’s comfortable life and seemingly perfect marriage begin to fall apart.

Excerpted from an article by Mike Collett-White for REUTERS