CAIRO: Seven representatives from the organization Egyptians against religious discrimination [MARED] made their way to the Ministry of Education Tuesday to protest against the dismissal of teacher Hala Talaat. The representatives, who gathered together outside Saad Zaghoul metro station with journalists and campaigners before approaching the ministry, had organized an online petition in support of Talaat to present to the Minister of Education Yosry El Gamal. Talaat was given an official warning on Jan. 26 following an investigation that began in November 2007 conducted by El-Waraa primary school Um al-Mu mineen Aisha where she works. Talaat was criticized by headmistress Naima Sabry Mohamed for wearing jeans, clothing considered "unsuitable. However, the main bone of contention was her chosen style of headscarf, which the school teacher preferred to wear Spanish style, tied back to cover the hair but not the neck. In addition to the petition comprising 260 signatures in support of Talaat, MARED also delivered a letter of protest against the persecution of the dismissed school teacher. The letter, which lays out the details of the case, explains that the issue has been ongoing for nearly two years. After a preliminary warning from the head of staff, an edict was issued from the local municipality demanding that they not wear trousers or jeans, and only wear respectful clothing as a model for students. When Talaat refused to comply with these demands, an investigation was issued by the local municipality in which she was not only interrogated on the matter of her clothing but also on whether she prayed or read the Quran. According to Talaat, the council representative told her that her neck was showing, and that is haram and that she should be wearing loose clothing so God would be pleased with her. MARED are demanding an end to discrimination on the basis of sex, as it was only women who were targeted by the local council: They work at the school in their capacities as teachers and not as men or women. They are also demanding a special investigation into the matter by the Minister of Education himself, following several complaints that Talaat has made personally to the council of education in Giza. Although the MARED delegation did not meet with the minister, as he was occupied in a meeting, they spent over an hour in discussion with the deputy minister, Rida Abu Sari a. We came to display the facts of the matter, Naga Artim, one of the founders of MARED, told The Daily News Egypt. They thought we came as some sort of media propaganda, and in fact the only details they had of this case were those they had picked up through the newspapers. Our letter explains our reasons for coming, but we are not just here for Hala, but for all cases like hers that happen in Egypt. Our organization, however, has been refused official recognition. We are a non-political body but the state claims we have political leanings. Talaat Fahmy, another member of the delegation as well as member of the Taggamu party, confirmed these sentiments, saying, We feel that this might happen in other schools, and want to prevent discrimination elsewhere. The ministry has promised they will look into the case and send a private investigator to check the details in the documents which we have delivered. However, Fahmy told Daily News Egypt that Talaat has been subjected to further discrimination and pressure since the warning. The local council has cancelled her grant for an MA degree. But we will stand by her and keep the case in the public eye through our organization.
