During her detention, she wrote an open letter titled ‘We shall continue’, vowing to keep on fighting until the controversial Protest Law issued in November 2013 – which effectively annihilated the right to protest – was abolished. She also pointed to class differences that determine one’s treatment even in prison, ending her letter with the call: ‘Down with this classist society’.

In addition to securing its own energy supply, Egypt aims to become a major electricity exporter in the region. Small-grid connections are already in place with Libya and Jordan, and a grid connection with Sudan is under construction.

Many critics consider Omar Khairat to be the best artist in terms of creating soundtracks used in dramatic works and movies. He is the author of some of the most famous soundtracks in the history of Egyptian art, such as the drama series “The Miserly,” “Me,” “Second Meeting,” and “Conscience of Halfwit,” in addition to the movies “The Terrorist” and “Execution of Dead Person,” among others. On this point, Khairat said, “I adapt music to allow it to speak in its own language about the scene and the imagery, so the musical rhythms are the key audio or acoustic elements of the story, situation or subject of the work of art.

Al-Sisi’s firm grip on the country seems a fait accompli. He has the support of the security bodies, which control the media; the parliament is almost entirely on his side; and since the constitutional amendments, he de facto controls the judiciary. It is hard to imagine how the few opposition politicians and activists left would pose a threat to the regime.

The performances deal with diverse and often controversial topics such as circumcision, sexual harassment, street children, dreams, civic participation of youth, the environment, racism, migration and the portrayal of women in the media and law.

For decades, the residents of North Sinai have suffered marginalization and the absence of a state presence, resulting in difficult living conditions, widespread unemployment, poverty, disease and an extremist ideology that has found fertile ground.

Egyptians living in poverty had risen to 30.2 per cent compared to 27.8 per cent in 2015. And the poverty line used in the report was set at 800 EGP per month, which is significantly lower than the World Bank’s 950 EGP per month. The poverty rate in 2015 had itself increased since 2011, when poverty stood at 25.2 per cent

25 defendants received preliminary fines up to 50,000 Egyptian pounds ($2,900) and seven were acquitted of charges ranging from illegal protesting to blocking roads, chanting against the state and receiving foreign funding. The fines will be upheld if the defendants commit ‘further crimes’.

The amendments include an extension of the presidential term to six years, which means al-Sisi, whose current term was due to end in 2022, can now stay in power until 2024 plus another six years if he is reelected. A 180-member Shura Council (senate) will be reinstated, of which a third of the members will be directly appointed by the president.

The situation for Egyptian writers is growing increasingly difficult, with many in exile or even facing imprisonment at home. Voicing critical or alternative views on politics, morality or religion has become a red line and many writers are now afraid to publish at all.