Bassem Youssef, a Champion for Egypt’s Liberals - NYTimes.com

 As a new Constitution engraves Islam ever more firmly into Egyptian law, a young comic’s escalating battle with a group of ultraconservative television sheiks has become an early skirmish over the application of Islamic law, or Shariah. 

“Bassem Zipper,” one called him, “the varmint.” Mr. Youssef “doesn’t know how to wash after he uses the bathroom,” another one said.

 “You could write a Ph.D. dissertation on the contradictions in Salafi discourse, or I could write a human rights report about its bigoted rhetoric,” Mr. Bahgat added, “but none of this is half as effective as one of Bassem’s weekly shows.” 

 In another clip, a member of the Salafi movement’s main governing council listened solemnly as a caller purported to describe even more sordid discoveries. “I swear to the glory of Allah, I found money in — I’m sorry about the word, excuse me — a man’s backside,” the caller said.“

So far, those protesters have: drugs, coal for water pipes, condoms and money,” Mr. Youssef told his audience incredulously. “All they need is a couple of belly dancers and five men from the gulf to open a nightclub.”

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Bassem Youssef, a Champion for Egypt’s Liberals - NYTimes.com: