A statement from a member of Parliament of the ultra-conservative Salafist Nour Party has argued that Shia are “more dangerous than naked women” in comments that have brought on an onslaught of sardonic comments as well as anger from Egypt’s activist community, who have urged the government to make it clear that discrimination will not be tolerated.
According to a report in al-Ahram – a government-run daily newspaper - members of the committee called on Tourism Minister Hesham Zaazou to discuss the issue in the council, the country’s upper house of parliament which is holding legislative powers until a house of representatives is elected.
The committee, headed by Fathy Shehab El-Din of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), reportedly had an argument on the effects Iranian tourists could have on Egypt.
“The Shias are more dangerous than naked [women],” MP Tharwat Attallah of the Salafist Nour Party said during the meeting.
“They are a danger to Egypt’s national security; Egyptians could be deceived into [converting to] Shiism, giving it a chance to spread in Egypt,” he added.
Activist Nora Osman said that “this fear of the Shia is ridiculous in this country. We’ve had them traveling here for decades and there was no problem, but now with the rise of the conservatives, it has become one. Doesn’t make sense to me.” |