No compromise

The "war against terror" isn't just hitting the Al Quaeda network and Afghan civilians. It's also making the work of the Islamic world's internal critics that much harder.

Nawal El-Saadawi, Egypt's leading writer, has been a tireless campaigner against the political manipulation of Islam. A constant thorn in the side of Egyptian authorities, she has faced frequent arrest, imprisonment and death-threats. But following the terrorist attacks on the US and their global repercussions, her message has taken on a new urgency.

And recently, at the age of 70, she has found herself a target once more, this time of a maverick lawyer, determined to charge her with apostasy. If the courts find her guilty she could go to prison and be forced to divorce her beloved long-term husband. If she goes free, her life may still be at risk from the extremists.

Samira Hepburn returns to Egypt after ten years to find a country where conservative Islam is attracting increasing support and Nawal's position is perilous. In the current tense political climate anything could happen and no one is prepared to compromise.

No compromise: Sunday 28th October 2001 at 1915 on BBC Two

Reporter: Samira Hepburn
Director: Fiona Lloyd-Davies
Editor: Fiona Murch