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Shimaa Hamdi

Shimaa Hamdi

Journalist

Egyptian journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Athar, specialising in political affairs, human rights and civil liberties.

4 articles

When Licensing Becomes a Threat: The Predicament of Egypt’s Independent Press
Explainers Report

When Licensing Becomes a Threat: The Predicament of Egypt’s Independent Press

The prosecution of Mada Masr editor-in-chief Lina Attalah has exposed a broader crisis facing Egypt’s independent press: licensing applications remain pending for years, while outlets that continue operating risk prosecution, fines and closure, raising questions about selective enforcement of the law and the transparency of licensing decisions.

October 26, 2026 14 min read
One Year Since the Gaza Ceasefire Continued Bloodshed and an Incomplete Withdrawal
Data Journalism Investigation

One Year Since the Gaza Ceasefire Continued Bloodshed and an Incomplete Withdrawal

One year after the Gaza ceasefire agreement, an Athar analysis of Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) shows continued shelling and casualties. Field testimonies, meanwhile, document the movement of “Yellow Line” markers toward residential areas, amid a stalled Israeli withdrawal and a delayed start to reconstruction.

October 15, 2026 20 min read
What economic reform did to the sandwich of Egypt's poor
Data Journalism Report

What economic reform did to the sandwich of Egypt's poor

From one pound to ten in twelve years: Athar traces the fava bean sandwich from field and port to Maha's daily breakfast, and how a production gap, a weaker pound and inflation swallowed a growing share of her wage

October 11, 2026 9 min read
The journalists' and lawyers' unions: Abdel Khalek Tharwat Street brought them together, and so did women's struggles
Women & Equality Report

The journalists' and lawyers' unions: Abdel Khalek Tharwat Street brought them together, and so did women's struggles

A report documenting the reality women face inside Egypt's journalists' and lawyers' unions, from discrimination and stereotyping to weak representation on union councils

August 26, 2026 16 min read