(I disagree, however, with his assertion that Egypt "choose[s] to ignore it in all but the most obvious family, divorce or inheritance cases." I know quite a few Egyptians who would say exactly the opposite. Case in point: I am a woman living in Egypt, and if I were to testify in court here, my testimony would be given half the weight of a man's testimony, no matter what.)
Quick question -- does he deal with the Muslim Brothers in any way other than their founding and historical ties to Qutb? I'm curious about his take on the modern Brotherhood.
I'm also wondering whether it's even possible to get this book here.... Hmmm.
Your point about the position of women in Egypt is well made. Aslan is perhaps too optimistic about the rule of law in various Muslim societies at present.
I do think he is correct that there is a spectrum, but the fact that he doesn't live in Egypt perhaps makes him inclined to over-optimism at times.
I'm not sure that Egypt is really well-understood by many people outside of Egypt, even in places where it should be. Egyptians constantly marvel at the way Nasser and Sadat are perceived so much more positively abroad than they are here, and there seems to be a similar dichotomy developing about Mubarak.
But to be fair, things are also changing here really fast, and Egyptians themselves are still trying to come to terms with it all.
Thanks for the welcome!
