Preacher alarms many in Egypt with calls for Islamist vice police

[dipsydoodle]

(Reuters) - Many Egyptian viewers were horrified when preacher Hisham el-Ashry recently popped up on primetime television to say women must cover up for their own protection and advocated the introduction of religious police.

That an obscure preacher could get publicity for such views was seen as another example of the confused political scene in Egypt since the revolt that toppled Hosni Mubarak gave birth to a cacophony of feuding voices.

"I was once asked: If I came to power, would I let Christian women remain unveiled? And I said: If they want to get raped on the streets, then they can," Ashry told Nahar TV last week.

Introducing a Saudi-style anti-vice police force to enforce Islamic law was "not a bad thing", he said, and added: "In order for Egypt to become fully Islamic, alcohol must be banned and all women must be covered."

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/01/09/uk-egypt-islamists-idUKBRE9080MA20130109

[Behind the Aegis]

1. The best response is actually in the article.

"Look at this crazy man! Where do you think we live! In a jungle? Or are all men like you, animals, unable to control their instincts?" Mona Ahmed, 65, shouted at the television screen in her living room.

"If I see him annoying any unveiled woman on the street I would punch him in the face. Wake up, man, this is Egypt, not Saudi Arabia," she yelled as her children tried to console her.

I agree with Mona!

[Odin2005]

5. Mr. Ahmed hit the nail on the head!

[AverageJoe90]

2. Sad to say, I was afraid this might happen. n/t

[DetlefK]

3. The tourists are gonna love this.

Who doesn't want to go on vacation to a country with prohibition, where unelected religious extremists get to add their own laws and their own police, where religious leaders make up excuses for legitimately raping tourists...

[dipsydoodle]

4. That's where they've got to be careful

Egypt is heavily reliant on tourism for income.

[Odin2005]

6. The religious nuts don't give a damn about tourism.

The tourism industry could collapse all they care as long as their religious nut-fuckery is enforced. Indeed, they would call it a good thing because it would keep out "degenerate Western influence".

[Catherina]

7. Who could have possibly foreseen this?

(Happy New Year my friend )

[dipsydoodle]

8. And to you.