I currently work as an analyst researcher at an American institution. For over 20 years, I have been a well-known commentator on Middle Eastern affairs and the executive editor of international pages for a Cairo-based newspaper. I also made more than a thousand TV appearances as a political commentator on various programs broadcast on Middle Eastern TV channels. I have published more than 2,000 articles and research, and authored a number of books. While most of my published work is in Arabic, I have also published many articles in English.
I am also a human rights advocate, and have been involved in founding several human rights centers, including Coptic Solidarity in Washington, and the Middle East Freedom Forum. I currently serve as a member of the advisory board of MEMRI, the board of directors of Coptic Solidarity, as well as being the director of the Middle East Freedom Forum.
Given my strong advocacy for human rights and the rights of religious and ethnic minorities in the Middle East, and my outspoken stance and writings against Islamic terrorism, I naturally attracted the ire and hostility of Egyptian and Middle Eastern intelligence agencies, as well as extremist Islamic groups. My activities, including my Facebook page, became a favorite target for those agencies and groups, which have at their disposal electronic “militias” working to flood Facebook Administration and other social media with a deluge of false complaints against their perceived opponents.
Unfortunately, I have had to deal with this issue repeatedly. Furthermore, I suspect that there may be some staff members in Facebook Administration, particularly in Middle East-based offices, who support these entities and target their opponents.
My experience with Facebook can be summed up as follows:
1. In August 2016, I called for a peaceful march in front of the White House in defense of oppressed Christians in Egypt. Following that announcement, my account was hacked (the hackers may have had some connection to the Egyptian Intelligence Agency). The hackers took control of my Facebook page, through my private email, removed my personal picture and switched it for that of an Islamic extremist, and posted a warning for people to refrain from joining the march claiming that ISIS will blow up the demonstrators. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation was informed for security purposes, and Facebook Administration was contacted regarding this issue, until finally the page was restored ten days later.
2. On November 24, 2017, I posted an article on Facebook calling for religious reform in the Middle East. The article was deleted, and Facebook Administration did not allow me to post for several days, despite the fact that this was an opinion article, and absolutely did not include any call for hatred or violence.
3. On December 5, 2017, I posted another opinion on Facebook regarding religious reform. It was removed by Facebook Administration and I was suspended from posting for two weeks.
4. On February 2, 2018, I posted an opinion regarding Turkey (following its devastating military campaign in north of Syria), recalling the historical fact that the Ottomans have occupied Constantinople since 1453, and saying that one day it will be returned to its original ‘Byzantine’ owners. The post was deleted and my Facebook account was suspended for a month.
I am a US citizen, protected by the US Constitution. Everything I have posted, since I first signed up for my Facebook page, can still be accessed, and none of it violates US laws or Facebook rules. This falls under the freedom of opinion and speech, which is protected by the First Amendment to Constitution in the United States, as well as by international laws and human rights instruments. Being the director of a human rights center in Washington and a public figure, I hold myself accountable ethically and legally for everything I post on Facebook. If anyone takes issue with my writings, they can go to court, and I am ready to defend every word I wrote.
As a researcher and human rights activist, I see, to my great amazement, thousands of pages on Facebook full of hatred and incitement to violence against Christians, Jews and women in the Middle East. However, these pages are left undisturbed, while Facebook Administrators go after a human rights activist for posts wrote in support of human rights and freedoms, and to counter global terrorism which poses a threat to the whole world!!
I feel that I have been subject to a form of “intellectual terrorism” targeting thinkers, writers, and human rights activists, and meant to thwart activism, and undermine the role they play in defending the oppressed, especially in regions such as the Middle East. It seems there are deliberate acts leading to imposing the Middle East standards of tyranny and fascism to social media.
I have left Egypt to escape religious persecution and the restrictions that crippled my freedom to write and express my opinion, and I would not see my freedom suppressed in the United States, the land of the free.
I am kindly asking Facebook Management to:
– Immediately lift the ban on my Facebook page, and
– Investigate on who is responsible for singling out my posts.
I would like to reaffirm that I hold myself ethically and legally accountable for every word that I wrote. If anyone takes issue with what I write, they can seek legal action, and I have full confidence in the American justice system.
Eur says
There is an old saying in Spain that goes like this: With the church we have come across…. Con la iglesia hemos topado.
»is a literary topic, derived from a passage from Don Quixote de la Mancha, which has become a colloquial expression. It is used to express the inconvenience of the Church’s own affairs being mixed with the frustration caused by the intervention or the mere existence of that institution, or, by extension of sense, of any authority that poses an insurmountable obstacle to the intentions of who uses the phrase Today … Don Quixote, would say to Sancho Panza: with Islam we have come across…. Con el islam hemos topado. Islam is the new inquisition,where the freedom of expression ends.
rubiconcrest says
Many times I enjoy the wisdom in the comments sections as much as anything. This is one of those times.
mortimer says
Thanks for the HEADS-UP, Magdi. The conclusion we must reach is that ARAB GOVERNMENTS HAVE INFILTRATED FACEBOOK are actively trying to control information on FACEBOOK.
This could not happen without the TACIT APPROVAL OF MR. ZUCKERBERG and his staff!
This is very disturbing.
There should be a BOYCOTT OF FACEBOOK until they stop allowing FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS TO CENSOR ON FACEBOOK WHATEVER THOSE GOVERNMENTS DISLIKE!
infidel says
His name should actually be Mark -Muslim – SUCKERBERG,, or even FU**BERG,,
William says
FB has banned many of us for posting news articles that mention anything to do with Muslims (as it’s always bad). Ive managed to block over 2000 Fb police/admins/administrators who’s full time job is to look for comments on this subject, + block us people, till we stop mentioning what is happening in the world. Each time the ban gets longer, till eventually they threaten to delete our FB page.
J D S says
I guess the Russians won’t be the only ones trying to influence the 2018 elections through internet cyber connections if they were able to demean this man’s facebook page.
Michael W Urban says
Even though im nobody compared to you in the whole scheme of things i have been trying to spread the word about oppression and terrorism in our country ever since Obama brought our enemies to our front door!They have repeatedly blocked my content even though as you,not broke any of there rules or any laws of this nation! Facebook is one that is on the side of the far left and has been Censoring us for over 10yrs!Its wrong and FB should be prosecuted for it! If anyone has the money to hire a lawyer for a class action laws suite i would be more then happy to hop on that train!!!! GOD bless you and your cause my fellow Christian!!!! Its too bad that i like so many are addicted to FB i am out of work at this time and its been hard finding a job considering i live in a tourist area and jobs are just starting up and to appear again in the news paper.So once any chores i have are done and the fact i cant watch any T.V. unless its FOX news i am stuck here socializing on FB and cant boycott but would love to sue there pants off! Wish this country would enforce its own Constitutional Laws!
Henry jones says
Lol, you left Egypt to come here? Now you see what a bone head move that was. The only thing that is saving you is your race. If you were white and wrote those pieces, you’d be getting WAY more than just suspensions. Spencer has been villivied, and even poisoned.
I do.appreciate what you are trying to do and applaud your efforts. Please do not stop. But if you thought America would be more open to your cause, sorry to say, it isnt.
LB says
So what’s the alternative? Stay in Egypt and get a death penalty for “blasphemy”? This is just me, but I think I’d prefer to be unlawfully censored and falsely libeled than beheaded. Now I can’t claim to speak for them, but I’m sure that Mr. Spencer and other truth-tellers about islam would choose the same as me.
gravenimage says
True. Moreover, he is warning us so that we don’t turn into an Islamic hell hole like Egypt.
Angry Aussie says
You clearly have any clue about how persecuted Copts are by followers of Islam in Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries. They cop it as bad as the Assyrians, yet rather than be empathetic, you disgustingly spin this into racial nonsense.
How insensitive and in poor taste that was. Shame on you!
mortimer says
Agree with Aussie! How about some compassion and sympathy and support and encouragement! Sheesh!
mariam rove says
What are you smoking today. You are insane. M
Roderick MacUalraig says
But obviously the fight has to be fought here in America as well! I salute this man for taking a stand and refusing to be bullied by the totalitarians for the sake of human beings wishing to live free!!
Wellington says
You suffer, Henry jones, from a very bad case, actually an exceedingly bad case, of bogus equivalency thinking. Reconsider.
Start by becoming better informed. For instance, freedom still exists in America. Big time. When has it ever existed in Egypt? Learn all this and more. Better sooner than later.
gravenimage says
+1
jan sobieski says
America’s free speech rights are far greater than any European nation where ‘hate speech’ is criminalized. But even now our gov is softening us up for hate speech laws. Here Facebook bans you, in Europe, the police arrest you. Big difference, both suck.
mortimer says
Sobieski, fight FACEBOOK it is infiltrated by Muslims Brotherhood. SOBIESKI, GO! AND CONQUER!
Claire says
These social media platforms encourage people to participate, build lives, reputations, livelihoods on their systems. Then apply woefully underdeveloped AI, or assign unsophisticated and ignorant hall monitors to take people’s access away at a whim.
Based on what? Who knows? There’s no due process allowed!
It’s insidious and tyrannical and I hope you can convince this idiotic behemoth to play fair for everyone’s sake.
SHUALI says
Based on a bias against Western Conservative values and in favour of the Islamic and Globalist agenda. It is NOT random Claire and it is not merely underdeveloped AL algorithms. At Facebook it is BIAS, Look for Soros’ footprints here as in everything involving globalist leanings or unrestricted immigration policies.
StellaSaidSo says
+1
Joe says
For the most part, they blame AI for their own bias.
In addition, their AI is far more primitive than what they imply. They want you to think that they are smart, so they overstate their technical abilities.
CRUSADER says
Orwellian Big Brotherism !
1984=2018…
——–
Magdi,
So, you would be familiar with the work of Nonie Darwish?
——————————
Authoress, Nonie Darwish, discusses ways in which Islam is a “wholly different” faith than Judeo-Christianity in her book, “Wholly Different: Why I Chose Biblical Values Over Islamic Values.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYljdSDxe2Y
(Minute Marker of video at 57:00)
Nonie Darwish describes how USA Constitution could fix the problem of Religion –defined to put a halt to Islam….
“Any ideology which advocates killing those who leave it (apostasy) or for offending the religion/ideology is not allowed and illegal to practice in USA….”
bonnie Loranger says
I agree
Alice Hoagland says
Mr. Khalil, I sympathize with you. Facebook administrators frequently reflect ultraliberal bias, and have seen fit to remove comments from many people whose views differ from theirs. What has happened to you has happened to me. Facebook fails its members when it exercises such tyranny.
It is laudable that you have chosen to make the United States your home. Despite some naysayers, most would agree that you are much more free here to speak your mind than you would be in Egypt.
JawsV says
I detest Orwellian Fake Book and would never use it. Mark Z go to heck for inflicting Fake Book upon the planet.
CRUSADER says
What’s the e-quivalent of “Animal Farm” ??
mortimer says
Magdi Khalil is our HERO. A hero for all who love free speech. A target for anyone who thinks they have a right to CENSOR that with which they disagree.
Islam is many different cults in one … a death cult, a misogyny cult, but Islam is also a CENORSHIP cult.
Roderick MacUalraig says
PLUS ONE.
Karen says
A Hero, yes!!!
gravenimage says
Hear, hear!
Alain Barchichat says
Thank G’d Mr. Khalil lives in the USA, considering he is an Egyptian Copt. It may sound funny, but Egypt is the only Arab country where a Jew is safer than a Copt.
Pablito says
Wish someone would create and allow us to join a “NOT!facebook” site.
gravenimage says
Here are soe places to start:
“Tired of Facebook? Here are five social networking alternatives”
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2012/06/25/tired-facebook-here-are-five-social-networking-alternatives.html
Tom P says
So he is allowed to argue his positions on Al Jazeera but not Facebook? That pretty much sums it up right there.
May God bless you and your work, Magdi Khalil.
Leith Wood says
Welcome Mr. Khalil to America. I admire you. We are in a war in America to save our freedoms and the Constitution. Delighted to be rid of Facebook. Not our friend!
gravenimage says
+1
Bezelel says
Magdi Khalil, I hope your efforts get more traction. You’ve already accomplished a lot. I’m glad your story was posted here where you get even more notice. Best wishes is best I can do for you now.
MFritz says
I still remember the very first time somebody mentioned Facebook to me. I then asked the person in return what’s the point about this whole social media thing.
And the straight answer I got was, as soon as those private companies became involved it basically turned into a pyramid game. And they want you to submit to their rules to make as much money of your personal data as possible.
And thus I never joined FB, Twitter or the Google-money machine. There are alternatives now like minds.com etc. But apart from those… avoid.
Vann Boseman says
There is mewe and gab too. Between minds, gab, and mewe, I am not sure which is best, but for now I am partial to mewe. I strongly suggest that if people like myself are censored on FB, that we have a moral obligation to get around that censorship and get our voices and concerns onto FB. I do not know how to do that yet.Hopefully, one or more of the alternatives will become much more popular.
MFritz says
Some say that FB etc. will “improve” once more people vote with their feet and leave them for alternatives. I don’t think so. I rather think the likes of Zuckerberg will ally with (any) politicians who pressure the alternatives to either quit their business or become more like FB.
Besides, many companies i.e. expect and even pressure their employees to use FB.
CRUSADER says
Isn’t that what they said about the monolithic trusts of Rockefeller, and Co?
Then the TrustBusters and Muckrakers came along….
gravenimage says
Robert Spencer has both a Facebook page and a Twitter account.
CRUSADER says
He is a public figure.
Ergo he can get played upon by Stanford, etc….
Karen says
Mr. Khalil, I hope to see updates on your story. What you are doing is important. Best wishes.
Gjallarhornet says
Zukerberg is all about the money, Facebook would gladly have reported you to people who would have you shipped of the GUlag if it made Zuckerberg some dollars. I get the same vibe when I see people hanging out a Starbucks: how can people buy into the hype that this trendsettery is about anything else than cold cash?
The plight of the woman in the article illustrates where we – and America – are now, though. For a start, facebook is a private company and can do as they please. Yes, but that only applies when a company isn’t *devouring the entire media scene*, like facebook now. At that point, when people, like the lady in the article, gets harmed in their work, or suffer harm, or are cut of from their line of work, which require that they are on facebook, it is no longer just a private company. It has turned into an entity that violates your freedom of speech if they deny you access.
They are greatly harming many people by shutting them out and should be pressed not by rules set up for small town papers, but by the full force of the American Constitution. Good luck to the lady! Keep up the struggle!
Investigate Gov Corruption NOW says
The Stasi wins again.
Investigate Gov Corruption NOW says
FakeBook, Twitle and Gragle is the new Stasi.
Indiana Tom says
I feel that I have been subject to a form of “intellectual terrorism” targeting thinkers, writers, and human rights activists, and meant to thwart activism, and undermine the role they play in defending the oppressed, especially in regions such as the Middle East.
There is no feel because you actually have been subject to Fascist Book brought to you by IngSoc, Big Brother and the Ministry of Truth and Love.
Lydia Church says
Yes, we know it well around here.
It is slowly becoming like the middle east around here in the west.
The tyranny is slowly (or not so slowly) creeping in, in many forms.
The Constitution is only on paper now.
In the end (right around the corner) the choice will be:
shut up and comply….. or die.
My choice is not to shut up or comply!
Don’t count on any support from big brother either.
CRUSADER says
Sounds rather like what Islam offers:
Convert, or Shutup and Serve, or Die….
Lydia Church says
Yes, it is strikingly similar. That’s one thing they like about it.
Either way, I will not comply or shut up, but gladly die with that choice to make.
Peter says
Farcebook Mission:
To make the world more open and connected to GROUP THINK.
Matthieu Baudin says
“… As a researcher and human rights activist, I see, to my great amazement, thousands of pages on Facebook full of hatred and incitement to violence against Christians, Jews and women in the Middle East. However, these pages are left undisturbed, while Facebook Administrators go after a human rights activist for posts wrote in support of human rights and freedoms, and to counter global terrorism which poses a threat to the whole world!!…”
And it’s the same pattern we see in the behaviour of law enforcement agencies in Developed Countries. Time and again they side with those wielding the large sticks while harassing lone individuals and small groups.
CRUSADER says
This Christian Song is so representative of the loving, humble meaningfulness of Christian Faith.
————————————————————————————————————–
“Little Narrow Road” song
Small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to LIFE….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0BaoQxev5E
(A Song of Remembrance and of Lasting Wisdom)
“Oh…I….will leave this road for the Narrow….”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYLkeoZ48B0
Mo Leverett soulfully and slowly performing “Narrow Little Road,”
from the albums Tender Mercies and Poetic Justice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vG6ZffbgrU
Lyrics:
I believe in the love of God
It is an orphan’s wildest dream
It is a narrow little road
It is an ever-widening desert stream
I will leave this road
For the narrow
It is portrayed in the bread and wine
Let it fortify my bones
It is more than just a sign
It is the fountain from that desert stone
I will leave this road
For the narrow
It is the path where the humble go
It is the narrow not the broad
It is the pathway down the hill
To the graveyard of the living God
I will leave this road
For the narrow
The love of God is the hymn of hope
Let the needy join the throng
Let the widow hear and cope
Let the crippled rise to sing this song
I will leave this road
For the narrow
“Little Narrow Road” Songs (with Lyrics) :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mETIl66SHo4
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Meekness is a sweetness, and it is cosmically strong.
Might
Endowed by
Enduring
Knowledge
~~~~~~~~~~
gravenimage says
Facebook “Intellectually Terrorizes” a Human Rights Activist
………………….
Just appalling.
infidel says
Coptec Christians, esp from Egypt, are wonderful people. I had the immense pleasure of getting to know a few of them during my time in the West. They are very intelligent and extremely diligent and hard working and U can find them in intellectual occupations and professions like Pharmacy, which seems to be their favorite. They also go on to make good business people. More importantly, they are very family oriented and LAW ABIDING and do not cause any trouble to anyone wherever they live. In other words, they are an asset to any society where they live. Americans should support these Coptecs who are facing EXTINCTION at the hands of Islam in Egypt. God I HATE FACE BOOK and its DHIMMIS!!! with a passion..
R Cole says
There’s a report about a Coptic who now lives in the Netherlands, and worked in the transport system and was told he could no longer wear his Christian cross to work, because it might offend someone. But Muslim women could continue to wear their religious clothes. He had thought because he moved to a Christian country, he would have the freedom to express his religion. Instead, the things he thought he had left behind in Egypt were now being brought to the Netherlands. In Egypt, if you are Muslim you are granted more rights and privileges than a Christian.
::
On the Magdi Khalil Facebook issue, because his articles are written in Arabic, they are likely being moderated by someone in Morocco or other parts of North Africa or the Middle East and not in the US. Now his content is being moderated by those who either have respect for or live in countries where there is the sharia.
There were some ex-Muslims in Europe complaining about the same things. Whenever they post a comment in Arabic about their religious beliefs, such as the decision to renounce Islam, they find their comments are often censored or even removed from Facebook or Twitter, even though they live in France or other parts of the EU.
Which is a big problem for activists who are trying to expose the plight of the Christians, as the same sentiment or repressive mindset used to persecute the Christians or suppress Christianity, is not being used to moderate the activist content.
Facebook is a Leftwing organization, and with the Left, they have two broad categories in which everything slots into, it’s either offensive or it’s not. But if you know anything about Islam you’ll know this is meaningless. However, if you are Muslim with religious political objectives, these draconian set of rules can come in handy. Now, the Left’s rules are applied for religious purposes. Where what is Islamic is not offensive and what is un-Islamic is offensive. And under the Left’s hate speech or offensive speech rules, Muslims can enforce the sharia.
Now religious freedoms are being challenged by the new “offense.”
Separate from the articles Magdi Khalil writes, this chimera Leftist-Muslim offense, has an extra layer of backing. It’s the acceptance that if Muslims are offended, they will justify the use of terrorism or attack to remedy perceived insults or offenses. And therefore, with those in authority we see more of a reluctance to protect the human rights and religious freedoms of former Muslims and Christians from the Islamic world, out of fear of offending Muslims or “Islam.” It’s the imposition of Islam through the mere suggestion or threat of violence.
::
Recommendation: Facebook should put in place Arabic Christian or non-religious Arabic speakers as moderators, to ensure users from minority religious groups, such as Copts or ex-Muslims are given equal access to their platform and that their content and views expressed don’t face unfair censure or removal.
Simon says
Obviously Facebook sucks up to the Islamic majority countries to increase their penetration there and to prevent Facebook from being banned in those places. Money money money. I will never use their anti free speech site.
Jack Holan says
The snaty young lad Zuckerberg definitely seeks to impose his valueless illegal system of governance through the commercial world since it would not pass through our Court System and Stand. Zuckerbergs actions explained in the most altruistic way is no more than a form of Facism with a different dressing. It’s also a philosophy that he feel on a higher plain than the “common man so he (Zuckerberg) must serve up a process to control our expression of thought for the betterment of mankind. Meanwhile he and.his crohnies will still use any medium they see fit to get out their message.
jewdog says
Please send these sorts of articles to censorship@meforum.org to help the Middle East Forum track anti-Islamist censorship. Thanks.
UNCLE VLADDI says
For all corporazis, when dealing with their bottom lines, might of numbers makes right.
It’s always easier to VIRTUE-SIGNAL one’s PITY for all criminals as “FELLOW VICTIMS” than it is to risk one’s life showing righteous ANGER by accusing them of their crimes!
Jacqueline Robnett says
Everybody realizes that somebody has to start a social media platform equal to Facebook that is open to conservative opinion. Who has the knowledge and resources to step up to the plate?
Richard Courtemanche says
I certainly do not have Magdi’s credentials but many of my posts and comments are now labelled as spam. I know my comments are proper and I believe that political correctness has something to do with it. Being in Canada, I suspect that our jihadist PM Trudeau has had something to do with it as he recently warned FB about comments made about him in general. No doubt also that FB is being intimidated by Islam. No real heroes left.
Richard Courtemanche says
The danger of monopolies.
Karen says
Yes.