Egypt: The Ramadan of Their Discontent

For nearly every Egyptian, the new moon that settled over the Nile Valley in mid-November brought with it a period of brooding and selfcriticism. It marked the advent of Ramadan, the Moslem holy month, when the faithful stop to fast, offer prayers and examine the fullness or emptiness of their lives.

This year it has brought troubled Egyptians to their mosques in unprecedented numbers. It has also presented their leader, President Gamal Abdel Nasser, with clear evidence that many young Egyptians are desperately unhappy with the quality of their lives. For the advent...