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Egyptian Court Bans Jewish Festival For ‘Immorality’

January 4, 2015

An Egyptian court has permanently banned an annual Jewish festival that honors 19th Century Moroccan Rabbi Jaccob Abu Hasira citing ‘moral offences’.

The court banned the Jewish celebration, which has taken place in Egypt since 1979, and ordered the government remove the tomb of Abu Hasira in Damanhour from the list of official shrines and national antiquities.

Jews, mostly from outside Egypt, had congregated in Damanhour on January 1 each year to mark the three-day festival.

The court ruling came after local residents complained of the disruptive security presence that came with the festival. The BBC, however, added that locals had also complained of the consumption of alcohol and mingling of men and women at the tomb.

If the decision was taken on the grounds of alcohol consumption and the mingling of men and women, this would go against many Egyptian traditions and cultural events, including everyday weddings, night clubbing and more.

The Ministry of Antiquities has not commented on whether it will follow the court’s order by removing the tomb from the national antiquities list.

The Abu Hasira celebration was also banned by a court in 2001 and 2004, however this decision marks the first ‘permanent’ ban.

Comments (7)

  1. Marow95 says:

    I don’t know why does the staff here (and some other Egyptian sites in English) live in a parallel Egypt ?!

    “would go against many Egyptian traditions and cultural events, including everyday weddings, night clubbing” Cultural events ? Name one “Cultural” event that involves drinking ? I never heard a guy telling his mother “Tonight is the XY days, I’m going out with the folks to grab a beer” !! And “Night clubbing” ? Seriously ? 80% of Egyptians can’t afford to just get into a club !!!!!!!! What the hell are you talking about !!
    I’m not saying this for any ideological background (mine doesn’t mind people drinking, it’s not my business), nor that I care what the hell is Abou Haseera thing, I’m just saying this for the sake of FACT ِAND REALISM.

    1. Intellectualist says:

      If I’m going to move to Egypt and live the life I feel comfortable with, this enlightened depiction encourages me and many like me who would bring to Egypt our ideas and hard work. When will Egypt legalize pot?

  2. Faryda Hussein says:

    Another sign that Egyptian institutions of power get it all wrong. From both a secular and religious perspective, such a move is completely unjust and a breach of both international and Islamic law.

    1. Intellectualist says:

      A quality of life issue regarding the disturbance of the peace is more likely the root of this.