Singing for Egypt’s Future

Even the optimists among us would be hard-pressed to imagine a brighter future for Egypt than Ehaab Abdou does. Abdou is a youth activist, currently working with the Brookings Institution on improving the situation of Egypt’s young people. In his spare time, he delivers a message of tolerance and respect for diversity with the pop band he founded (and sometimes sings for), Ana Masry. It translates to the ecumenically flavored “I Am Egyptian.”

Kurt spoke with Abdou last week — just before the protests encountered violence — about his work, his music, and the Egyptian tradition of tolerance he’s trying to preserve.