Ramadan Without Bars | Abdel Khalek Farouk .. A National Thinker Detained Over a “Testimony for History
The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights marks the holy month of Ramadan—embodying the values of mercy, justice, and family unity—by shedding light on the conditions of individuals detained in connection with freedom of opinion and expression cases, whether held in pretrial detention or serving custodial sentences, and by calling for an end to their continued deprivation of liberty.
In this context, the Center renews its “Ramadan Without Bars” campaign, a series of articles highlighting the cases of prisoners and detainees held in opinion-related cases, with the aim of advocating for their release, as well as the release of all those detained in similar cases, and securing for them the liberty to which they are entitled.
“Good morning, my freedom, my dear. When you began the series of articles, I told you I feared for you and asked you to soften your tone for your own safety. You were upset and told me this was your testimony for history, and that Egypt deserves whatever price must be paid. I replied: write the truth as it is—I am here to support you and stand by your side. I know the price we are paying is high, but the الوطن deserves it. I am so proud of you.”
In the first week of Ramadan—specifically on 21 February 2026—visual artist Naglaa Salama wrote these words on her Facebook account, recalling her husband, the thinker and economist Dr. Abdel Khalek Farouk, who remains detained in connection with his opinions and analyses addressing political and economic conditions, expressing hope that he would regain the freedom he deserves.
Family gatherings and Ramadan celebrations have been absent from the Farouk household this year due to his detention. While his family endures the pain of his absence, he continues to suffer the effects of prolonged detention, particularly amid the deterioration of his health.
Dr. Farouk, 67, was arrested at his home on 20 October 2024. He was interrogated by the Supreme State Security Prosecution in Case No. 4937 of 2024 (Supreme State Security Registry) and charged with joining and financing a terrorist organization and disseminating false news and statements. He had previously been detained in October 2018 on similar charges following the publication of his book Is Egypt Really a Poor Country?, which was confiscated from the printing press before he was later released.
On 9 January 2025, Dr. Farouk commenced a hunger strike in protest of his conditions of detention and the lack of adequate medical care. He later ended the strike following a deterioration in his health. He suffers from hypertension, diabetes, and arterial disease, and has previously explained the seriousness of his medical condition during investigative proceedings.
At a prior detention renewal hearing, he stated that prison authorities confine him and other detainees to their cells for 23 hours per day, adversely affecting their physical and psychological well-being.
On 2 October 2025, the Shorouk Misdemeanor Court in New Cairo sentenced Dr. Farouk to five years’ imprisonment in Case No. 4937 of 2024 (Supreme State Security Registry) on charges of publishing false news.
At dawn on 15 March, Naglaa Salama prepared for a long and exhausting day to visit her husband, who is held at Tenth of Ramadan Prison 6. She prepared food for the visit, hoping it would be fully admitted. She arrived at the Tenth of Ramadan Prison Complex at 9:30 a.m., yet was only permitted to see him at 4:00 p.m. for a visit lasting no more than ten minutes, after hours of waiting.
“There is no privacy during the visit, no meaningful opportunity for communication—just a few minutes before it ends. My husband does not see the sun and is prohibited from mingling with other inmates. He is allowed only one hour of exercise per day within the cell block,” she wrote.
She further stated: “My husband has suffered three heart attacks during his detention since his arrest on 20 October 2024. He has also experienced a kidney crisis, in addition to other medical complications, and has been transferred to the prison hospital multiple times. His life is in daily danger. He was moved to a remote building, and eight cells on his floor were vacated, which may delay emergency medical intervention in the event of another health crisis.”
She continued: “We cannot understand what is happening to my husband. He is permitted to receive books, yet denied pens and paper. We see no justification for this. Writing is like water and air to Abdel Khalek. What danger is there in allowing him to write, even while detained?”
On this occasion, calls are renewed for the release of Dr. Abdel Khalek Farouk and all prisoners and detainees held in connection with freedom of opinion and expression cases, so that they may return to their families and regain their fundamental right to liberty, ensuring that their Ramadan is no longer spent behind bars.
