A team of lawyers called for the ban of Arabic classic A Thousand and One Nights on 17 April. The lawyers, from the “Actio popularis” group, filed a complaint with the prosecutor general, demanding that the book be confiscated and its publishers face imprisonment. Following a series of so-called Hesba lawsuits that have targeted writers, poets and filmmakers, the lawyers invoked article 178 of the penal code, which states that publishing material considered to be “offensive to public decency” is punishable by up to two years in prison. On 7 April, the state-run magazine Ibdaa closed after a Hesba lawyer claimed it published a poem insulting God.
NEWS
Egypt: Classic book faces ban
A team of lawyers called for the ban of Arabic classic A Thousand and One Nights on 17 April. The lawyers, from the “Actio popularis” group, filed a complaint with the prosecutor general, demanding that the book be confiscated and its publishers face imprisonment. Following a series of so-called Hesba lawsuits that have targeted writers, […]
By Intern
27 Apr 10
Support free expression for all
Prev
Next
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.
But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.
If you believe in a future where voices aren’t silenced, help us protect it.
By Intern
READ MORE
-
The fog of war lifts in Iran
Human rights violations have increased, with more than 700 citizens arrested over the past 12 days
-
The week in free expression: 21–27 June 2025
Index rounds up of some of the key stories covering censorship and free expression from the past seven days
-
The week in free expression: 14-20 June 2025
Index rounds up of some of the key stories covering censorship and free expression from the past seven days
-
I was once a journalist in Gaza – now I’m a refugee in Egypt
Denied the right to do my job, I’ve gone from reporting on the frontlines of the Israeli military campaign to fighting for my survival in exile