Monday, February 18, 2008

Factoid, with Enhancements

From Sunday NYT:

In 1986, there was one mosque for every 6,031 Egyptians, according to government statistics. By 2005, there was one mosque for every 745 people — and the population has nearly doubled.

Link. I guess that's two factoids. The story was billed as one about frustration about "Egypt's young," but it is better described as being about "Egypt's young men." Aside from taking the veil, the story doesn't really offer much insight into what the women are up to. Rather, the story focuses on one Ahmed Muhammed Sayyid, 28, who has "a degree in tourism" and makes less than $100 a month as a driver. Here's a snippet on new-age protest:

Mr. Sayyid’s resigned demeanor masks an angry streak. He said he and his friends would sometimes enter a restaurant, order food, then refuse to pay. They threaten to break up the place if the police are called, intimidating the owners. He explains this as if to prove he is a victim. He tells these stories with anger, and shame, then explains that his prayers are intended as a way to offset his sins.

If memeory serves, that line echoes the dominant motif from this movie.

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