A quarrel over wearing the niqab at Helwan University's hostel has stirred hostile reactions on both sides. Reem Leila unveils the reasons A few days ago, President of Helwan University Abdel-Hai Ebeid banned students wearing the niqab (veil covering the face) from residing at the university's hostel, citing security reasons. But the decision was heatedly contested by the students who wear the niqab and their supporters. Ebeid argued that securing the 1,500 residents at the hostel is his responsibility, saying that he is "protecting the students against any man who might slip into the hostel under the veil of the niqab." Ebeid gave an ultimatum to students wearing the niqab at the hostel, saying that "a student should either take off the niqab or forget about living in the hostel." All the students at the hostel wearing the niqab have since taken it off, opting to only wear the hijab (head cover) in order not to be turned out on the street. Most hostel residents come from distant governorates and have nowhere else to stay. But the student body remains disgruntled, holding a 500-strong demonstration to protest against the decision. "If students wearing the niqab gave up their right to wear it, we will end up being marginalised," said 19- year-old Hoda. "Wearing the niqab is a personal choice which does not harm anybody." The students at the demonstration on campus told Al-Ahram Weekly that they denounce the president's decision. "This ban restricts the personal freedoms of students," according to Anhar El-Sayed, 20, and wearing the niqab. "It is a strictly religious matter; a girl who dons the niqab is only practising her religion." Ebeid said that before making the controversial decision he consulted manycertain that he is not violating Islamic teachings. The Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar Mohamed Sayed Tantawi however, washed his hands off the controversy, describing the ban as an internal university issue. Tantawi said that as long as the university is forcing students to take off the niqab -- not the veil -- then they are not committing any sin. "As long as the ban is for the safety of the students, then why oppose it," he wondered. Ebeid has stated clearly that he is not considering applying this ban on the entire university campus, since lectures are held during the day. "But the hostel is nothing but bedrooms, and parents would kill me if a man slipped in," he stressed. Some suggested that Ebeid hire females to check the faces of the students wearing the niqab at the hostel entrance. But the president felt that it would be impossible to check each and every student, since nearly 50 per cent of the 700 hostel residents wear the niqab. "This is absurd, especially during Ramadan when all the students arrive at the hostel at the same time," he explained. Only a few of the demonstrating students have personally complained to Ebeid, who has expressed willingness to study each case individually. Two sisters from Al-Wadi Al-Gadid -- one wearing the hijab and the other the niqab -- complained to him that the niqab- donning sister was banned from the hostel. Ebeid said that he eventually convinced her to take off the niqab. "She was then allowed to join her sister at the hostel," he added .
