Controversy over nikab ban in Egypt

In its issue of December 12, An Nahar daily reported that the Egyptian street is discussing the issue of wearing the hijab in public places and government departments or banning it similar to other countries. The controversy was sparked after naming the ‘veiled’ fine artist, Mona Qamah, as director of the Palace of Culture in Buheira Province. In the details, An Nahar wrote that the designation of Qamah has incited a wave of condemnation and criticism in cultural circles, which prompted Ahmad Awad, the head of the General Authority for Cultural Palaces, to revoke the decision. Awad explained that Qamah was temporarily managing the work of the director of Kfar Duwar Palace of Culture pending the assignment of a new director. Citing a number of legislature members, An Nahar said they planned to file a request to ban the hijab within public offices, in referral namely to MP Ghada Ajami who earlier submitted a draft bill prohibiting wearing of hijab in public places. Ajami justified this by claiming that the rate of crime has increased especially with the increased use of the veil by extremist groups. For her part, Amna Nseir, professor of philosophy of belief at Al Azhar University, member of parliament, told the newspaper that wearing the veil is not an Islamic custom, hoping it would be banned by law for security and safety reasons. (An Nahar, December 12, 2019)