iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

My short film "CAR... When Can I Have" is now available on YouTube. CAR was officially selected for: 1. Activists Without Borders Film Festival 2024. UK. 2. Freedom Festival International 2025. USA. 3. Oakville Film Festival 13th Edition, 2025. Canada. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi4A...

youtube.com

CAR... When Can I Have it (Short Film)

YouTube video by Mostafa Al-A'sar

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

"Cultivating new, strong relationships requires effort and time immigrants cannot always afford. It means risking starting over again, planting the seeds of friendship and nurturing them, and not knowing if you (or they) will be around for them to bloom." www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

theglobeandmail.com

Opinion: Finding connection as an immigrant in the lonely city

It’s hard enough to make friends and find love in bustling cities in 2026. I’ve learned that it’s even more complicated as an immigrant

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Honoured to join the HRN 2026 Heads of Agency Meeting in Ottawa and speak on a panel about humanitarian leadership in a time of change.

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

John Sewell, a former Toronto mayor who now is now part of the Toronto Police Accountability Coalition, said the police force should go further than they have. Read my story in The Globe and Mail today, which is featured among the top stories on the website. www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

I turned to the friend beside me and asked, “Should we urge people to protest and try to break into the square, or will they let us down?” If the movement failed, we would be the ones thrown back into prison. Read my recent article with L'Orient Le-Jour in English, French and Arabic

today.lorientlejour.com

Egypt’s revolution, 15 years later: Erasing truth, inventing false narratives

Mostafa Al-A’sar is a journalist, researcher, human rights defender, and former Egyptian political prisoner, now in exile in Canada.The five of us stood at the edge of Tahrir Square in downtown...

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Reposted by Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر

Mai El-Sadany @maitelsadany.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

New report that a hack-for-hire group targeted Egyptian journalist and my former @timep.bsky.social colleague @mostafaalasar.bsky.social, former Egyptian presidential candidate Ahmed Tantawy, and an unnamed Lebanese journalist through spear-phishing campaigns. More here: cpj.org/2026/04/egyp...

cpj.org

Egyptian, Lebanese journalists targeted in cyber attacks - Committee to Protect Journalists

Washington, D.C., April 8, 2026 — The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by new reports about spear-phishing attacks against several Egyptian and Lebanese journalists aimed at compromising th...

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

القراء الأعزاء متحدثي العربية بمدينة تورنتو وميسيساجا بكندا. يوم السبت القادم ٢٨ مارس، هكون موجود بمعرض ميسيساجا للكتاب العربي، من أجل حفل إطلاق كتابي "عن الدولة والسجن والمنفى".. الكتاب متوفر بالمعرض للشراء والتوقيع بنفس اليوم.

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

“There is nothing more dangerous than an enforced disappearance. Think about the word for a moment: disappearance.” Read my feature in English and Arabic in The Walrus thewalrus.ca/where-do-the...

thewalrus.ca

Where Do the Disappeared Go? | The Walrus

In Egypt, the search for vanished political activists and dissidents can be its own form of torture

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

I'll be part of Qissa Festival: Celebrating Newcomer and Refugee Writers on March 29 at Small World Music Centre in Toronto. Join us for a day of powerful storytelling and community. Free to attend. Registration required. bit.ly/4l22igk

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Reposted by Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر

GREUBE HUMAINE @greubelinux.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

A state of silence... and everyone seems absent-minded, thinking of his family. #FreeThemAll #Egyptian_hell @mostafaalasar.bsky.social

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 11/02/2026

I'm glad to have had the opportunity to work with the amazing team at the Citizen Lab to translate this important report into Arabic: “From Protest to Peril: Cellebrite Used Against Jordanian Civil Society.” Misusing of the Israeli software products from Cellebrite. citizenlab.ca/research/fro...

citizenlab.ca

From Protest to Peril: Cellebrite Used Against Jordanian Civil Society - The Citizen Lab

Through a multi-year investigation, we find that the Jordanian security apparatus has deployed forensic extraction products manufactured by Cellebrite against civil society devices. We release these f...

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

My latest article for The Star: Any approach to supporting this marginalized group must account for their specific circumstances. What is considered supplemental for the general population may be indispensable for refugees.

thestar.com

The wrong people are being asked to pay for Canada’s crisis in health care

Forcing refugees and asylum seekers to pay puts an additional burden on already marginalized people.

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

When it comes to regional security and peace, can such matters be meaningfully discussed with a foreign minister whose government incites against its own citizens abroad and practices transnational repression targeting activists, journalists, and HRDs in exile? redword.ca/can-canada-c...

redword.ca

Can Canada call Egypt an “ally” while ignoring its record of repression? – redword.ca

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

صدر كتابي "عن الدولة والسجن والمنفى"، عن دار "جسور للترجمة والنشر”. الكتاب متوفر باللغة العربية في مكتبات الشبكة العربية في بيروت وإسطنبول، ومتاح الآن للشراء عبر الانترنت من خلال موقع نيل وفرات. www.neelwafurat.com/itempage.asp...

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Reposted by Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر

Ahmed Zidan @zidan.bsky.social · 01/08/2025

“Though it’s been two years since Bill C-18 came into effect, it’s unacceptable to normalize a situation where Canadians are unable to access or share news on Meta platforms, @mostafaalasar.bsky.social writes on @thewalrus.ca.

thewalrus.ca

If You Think We Have Press Freedom, Try Sharing This Story on Instagram | The Walrus

Growing up in Egypt, I knew access to news could be fragile. I didn’t expect to lose it again in Canada

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Reposted by Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر

Christina Frangou @cfrangou.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

Growing up in Egypt, @mostafaalasar.bsky.social ‬ knew access to news could be fragile. He didn’t expect to lose it again in Canada. But that's what has happened with the Meta news ban. thewalrus.ca/if-you-think...

thewalrus.ca

If You Think We Have Press Freedom, Try Sharing This Story on Instagram | The Walrus

Growing up in Egypt, I knew access to news could be fragile. I didn’t expect to lose it again in Canada

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Reposted by Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر

The Walrus @thewalrus.ca · 22/07/2025

When Mostafa Al A’sar, Journalists for Human Rights and The Walrus contributing writer, moved to Canada from Egypt in 2024, he was shocked to discover that he couldn’t access news on Meta. He was no stranger to government censorship, but this felt different. thewalrus.ca/if-you-think-we-...

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

We technically have freedom of expression, and there are no official site bans or state censorship. But in reality, the government cannot broker a resolution with Meta. What are our alternatives? Read my latest piece with @thewalrus.ca @pressefreiheit.bsky.social thewalrus.ca/if-you-think...

thewalrus.ca

If You Think We Have Press Freedom, Try Sharing This Story on Instagram | The Walrus

Growing up in Egypt, I knew access to news could be fragile. I didn’t expect to lose it again in Canada

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

For the MBN journalists seeking asylum, a long road of hardship lies ahead – and trust in U.S. media institutions in the region may never recover. Read my latest story with The Globe And Mail: www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...

theglobeandmail.com

U.S. funding cuts to MBN lay off hundreds of journalists, putting some at risk of deportation

MBN was created for Arabic-speaking audiences in the Middle East and North Africa after 9/11 and the Iraq War

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

My short film "Car; When Can I Have It?" will be available for virtual screening starting tomorrow for seven days, featuring a remarkable lineup of international short films officially selected for the 2025 Oakville Festival of Film and Arts (OFFA). watch.eventive.org/offa2025/pla...

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

"When people don’t choose their own destiny, it gets chosen for them—by killers and criminals". My first article is about the recent Canadian federal elections, titled: “First Time Elections in Canada... What Does It Mean?”

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

My short film CAR; When Can I Have it! has been officially selected to participate in the 12th edition of the Oakville Festival of Film and Art (OFFA). The festival will take place 18-25th June in Oakville and Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. I’ll share more details as soon as they are announced.

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

The 35th anniversary of the Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF). ‘As journalism goes, so goes democracy’.

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

What pride and what sadness! The William Southam Journalism Fellowship concludes. Ready for my next journey.

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

I am honored to have contributed a chapter to the newly published book Imprisoning a Revolution: Writings from Egypt's Incarcerated, released by the University of California Press.

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

As a leader of Redword for Human Rights & Freedom of Expression, I join a group of journalists, writers, and human rights organization leaders in a letter and urgent appeal to the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, calling for a presidential pardon for writer Alaa Abdel Fattah. #FreeAlaa

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

أول يوم فطار في المعتقل بيكون صعب، حالة من الصمت، وكله سرحان بيفكر في عيلته.. رمضان في المعتقل أصعب 100 مرة.. في كرسي ناقص على السفرة.. الحرية للمعتقلين

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

مات السيد. أي كلمة تُقال ستسبب ألمًا عميقًا وربما قطيعة مع بعض الأصدقاء، ولذلك آثرت الصمت طوال الفترة الماضية احترامًا لمشاعر الأصدقاء من الطرفين. من يراه بطلًا نبيًا لعصره ومن يدينه مجرمًا قاتلًا.

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Reposted by Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر

Ian Van Haren @ianvh.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

Here is some interesting news from this week: "My Canadian dream turned into an unsettling nightmare. That shouldn’t happen for any other refugee" by @mostafaalasar.bsky.social , reveals shortcomings in how settlement agencies treat refugees in Canada. www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/909ce72...

theglobeandmail.com

My Canadian dream turned into an unsettling nightmare. That shouldn’t happen for any other refugee

Mostafa Al-A’sar was grateful to be able to leave Egypt, where he was a political detainee, for Canada. But a miserable resettlement experience, a series of scams and a lack of access to adequate hous...

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

I was grateful to be able to leave Egypt, where he was a political detainee, for Canada. But a miserable resettlement experience, a series of scams and a lack of access to adequate housing left me feeling doubts in my beloved new home. My Op-ed today via: www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

theglobeandmail.com

Opinion: My Canadian dream turned into an unsettling nightmare. That shouldn’t happen for any other refugee

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Reposted by Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر

Mark Medley @markmedley.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

“I had to make a stark choice: either stay in Canada, with all of its challenges, and suffer at the hands of those who were supposed to be my fellow citizens … or leave the country.” From @mostafaalasar.bsky.social’s powerful essay about moving to Canada. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...

theglobeandmail.com

Opinion: My Canadian dream turned into an unsettling nightmare. That shouldn’t happen for any other refugee

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Reposted by Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر

Mai El-Sadany @maitelsadany.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

Kicking off my 24-hr hunger strike in solidarity with Dr. Laila Soueif, Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel Fattah's mom, who has been on hunger strike since Sept 30 to protest authorities' failure to release him following the completion of his prison term. #FreeAlaa #تجوع_ليحيا #أدعم_إضراب_ليلى

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Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر @mostafaalasar.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Today marks day 66 of Dr. Laila Soueif’s hunger strike and day 26 of our consecutive one-day hunger strikes in solidarity with her. Today, I'm Joining Dr. Laila Soueif for a 24-hour hunger strike in solidarity. Laila's health is in critical danger. Life for Laila and freedom for Alaa.

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Reposted by Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر

The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy @timep.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

NEW: Egypt has chosen refugees as its scapegoat to cover up governmental failings, leading to a dangerous and widespread disinformation campaign against them, as former fellow @mostafaalasar.bsky.social writes in his piece published in collaboration with Arabi Facts Hub. timep.org/2024/11/27/h...

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Reposted by Mostafa Al-A'sar | مصطفى الأعصر

Mai El-Sadany @maitelsadany.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

"In a context where refugees lack legal protection, the disinformation and hate speech targeting them only further risk exacerbating their marginalization. In addition to legal hurdles, deportation, and imprisonment, the risk of violence is real." Don't miss this piece by @mostafaalasar.bsky.social

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