The Republic, As If

novel by al-Aswany

Also known as: “Jumhūriyyah kaʾan”

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July 22, 2026

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The novel The Republic, As If by Alaa al-Aswany is a work of fiction set during the 2011 Egyptian protests. Al-Aswany is an Egyptian author known for his critical stance against the Egyptian government. His novel was published in Beirut and subsequently banned in Egypt due to its critique of state institutions. The author faced legal action for a column that criticized the Egyptian president and the military's role in civilian government. The novel's themes likely explore the social and political landscape of Egypt during a period of significant upheaval.1

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Alaa al-Aswany
…2018 novel Jumhūriyyah kaʾan (The Republic, As If), whose setting is the 2011 protests, was published in Beirut and banned in Egypt for its criticism of state institutions. A lawsuit was filed against him in March 2019 for a column he wrote for Deutsche Welle that criticized Pres. Abdel…
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…2018 novel Jumhūriyyah kaʾan (The Republic, As If), whose setting is the 2011 protests, was published in Beirut and banned in Egypt for its criticism of state institutions. A lawsuit was filed against him in March 2019 for a column he wrote for Deutsche Welle that criticized Pres. Abdel…
Read More