CAIRO: A Facebook-based Salafist news outlet re-aired an interview by Egyptian television host Reem Maged of Baldna Bel Masry, and covered her head and face with a dark filter, in an attempt to “veil” her. Maged was interviewing potential Islamist presidential nominee Hazem Salah Abu Ismail, who in a previous interview said he wished to force the headscarf on all women in Egypt. The news page replied saying that they didn't add the filter, but they do not mind it, as Maged is “Motabarega”, or a woman who doesn't cover her hair and could possibly wear make-up. During Maged's interview, she asked him about some of the comments that denounced him for being interviewed by a “Motagarega.” He said candidly that “al-Tabarouj”, the act of not covering a woman's hair and putting on make-up, is a “mortal sin”, adding that al-Tabarouj is a “criminal act” in Islam. He said he wouldn't have attended the interview if it was a religous assembly, but in politics “things are diffrent” and because he is planning on running for Egypt's top position, he has to meet with people from all walks of life. “I like for you what I like for my sister, and I admire your courage during the January revolution and I wish the next time we meet, things will be diffrent,” Abu Ismail said, inviting Maged to cover her hair. Abu Ismail who has promised to apply Sharia law, Islamic law, and to close down casinos, outlaw drinking alcohol in public, force Egyptian Christians to pay a separate tax for not converting, and punish women who would wear two-piece bathing suits, if he is elected. Egypt's former consitution, the one that was put following the 1952 military coup, was mostly based on Sharia, especially personal and family codes, and now many Islamists are calling for more literal interpretations of Sharia. BM
