Since the government of Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in the February 2011 Revolution, tensions between Muslims and Christians have been steadily rising. As Egypt struggles to once again become a stable nation, they face not only these issues of religious freedom, but also deep political and economic turmoil, as well as issues of free speech as earlier this year Bassem Youssef, host of Al Bernameg (The Program) was arrested on similar charges of insulting Islam and insulting the government of Egypt. Youssef’s show is an Egyptian version of John Stewart’s Daily Show.
About 10% of Egypt’s population is Christian and many feel that since the ousting of Mubarak they have been unprotected by the government. Last year a 17-year-old Christian was sentenced to three years in prison for posting cartoons on his Facebook page which mocked the Prophet. It is unclear what possible sentence this teacher may receive, but for the time being she was freed on a $2,900 bail posting.
Thoughts?