CAIRO: The Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) yesterday announced a campaign supported by ANHRI and other human rights organisations against so-called hisba cases in Egypt. Hisba cases allow citizens to prosecute individuals who they deem to have insulted Islam, and, although fairly new to Egypt, they have been increasingly used against public figures (See Bikya’s piece The rise of the hisba). The most recent high-profile hisba case was brought against secularist author Sayyed al-Qimni, after he won this year’s prestigious State Award of Merit in Social Sciences, prompting a backlash amongst many Islamists. Nabih al-Wahsh, a lawyer famous for bringing hisba cases against prominent public figures that in the past have included writer Nawal al-Saadawi and composer Hassan Abu Al Saoud along with a host of actresses, promptly filed a lawsuit demanding the withdrawal of the award on the grounds that al-Qemny is derisive of Islam. The ANHRI statement criticizes these lawyers as publicity seekers who, rather than defending Islam, seek personal fame and fortune. In addition to being in solidarity with al-Qimni, the campaign also supports Hassan Hanafi, another winner of the State Award of Merit. Hanafi, a renowned scholar and professor of philosophy at Cairo University, landed himself in hot water with comments he made at Alexandria’s library, when he said that, like a local supermarket, you can find whatever you want in the Qur’an – Islam’s holy book. The new campaign against the hisba system is firmly rooted in the belief that the system stifles academic debate and creativity, and that hisba cases are, by definition, anti-freedom of speech and anti-freedom of expression. The statement calls for open debate, rather than lawsuits, to criticize intellectuals’ views: “An opinion should never drag anyone to court. It is not discrediting to any thinker to criticize their thoughts , but it is unacceptable to file law suits and Hesba cases to limit and terrorize freedom of creativity and research.” The ANHRI stresses that supporters of the campaign do not have to agree with the views of either al-Qemny or Hanafi, and encourages even those who disagree strongly with them to add their backing to the statement. More important than personal opinions, it argues, is a right to express those opinions, and the statement closes with a call for all to endorse such values. BM
