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Egyptian Court Reverses Al-Ahzar Ban On Niqab

By Howard M. Friedman

ANSAmed yesterday reported that in Egypt, the Administrative Tribunal in Cairo has ruled unconstitutional a ban on women students wearing the niqab. The controversy began when in October, Egypt's top cleric, Mohammed Sayyed Tantawi, announced plans to ban women wearing the full face veil from entering any of the schools of Sunni Islam's premier institute of learning, al-Azhar. (See prior posting.) Then Education Minister Yustri El Gamal banned the niqab in public schools. The court ruled that the ban violates personal and religious freedom guaranteed by Egypt's constitution. In 2006, Egypt's Council of State held that American University in Cairo could not ban women from wearing the niqab. (See prior posting.) A committee of the Supreme Administrative Court issued a similar ruling in 2007. (See prior posting.)

Full post as published by Religion Clause on December 15, 2009 (boomark / email).