The Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner's breathtaking jump gave Egyptians a respite from their daily woes and wearying political face-offs. Like millions around the globe, Egyptians followed on TV, as Baumgartner embarked on his 38-kilometre stunt that shattered the sound barrier. The daredevil was seen jumping from a balloon and free falling towards the Earth's surface. Hypnotised by the record-setting feat, many people around the world praised Baumgartner and his team of assistants for faultlessly planning for this bid for seven years. The accomplishment was seen differently in Egypt. A senior Islamist politician, while expressing enormous admiration for Baumgartner's feat, wrote in a tweet that the skydiver almost prostrated himself upon reaching the ground, a gesture frequently made by Muslims in displaying thanks to God. The gesture has recently become all the rage, especially among Muslim footballers. An ultra-conservative Salafist was quoted in the local press as saying that Baumgartner's feat pales in comparison to the two-stage journey made in a single night by the Prophet Mohammed from Mecca in present-day Saudi Arabia to Jerusalem in Israel-occupied Palestine and then his heavenly ascent, known by Muslims as Lailat al-Isra wal M'iraj. Such bizarre interpretations come as no surprise in a country hit by a wave of Islamism and excessive religiosity, which reduces religious tenets to superfluous appearances. In their apparent attempt to ‘religionise' Baumgartner's scientific achievement, such Islamists crassly ignore the fact that it was the outcome of years of diligence and teamwork – two values highly appreciated in Islam. In an authenticated hadith (a prophetic saying), the Prophet Mohammed exhorts Muslims to pursue learning, even if it is in China, which was one of the world's places furthest from the Arabian Peninsula in his time. On embarking on his stunt, the former military parachutist was only concerned about the success of his bid, for which he and his team had planned well. But some ostentatious Islamists take the easy option, sitting on the wall, while others work hard to lead the world forwards.
