Egypt

Parliament discusses public insults against religious figures

Parliament member Ahmed el-Tahawy submitted an urgent statement during the general assembly of the House of Representatives on Sunday, asking for a draft law that criminalizes insulting religious figures in Egypt.

Tahawy said Egyptians do not accept insults against the reformist Islamic preacher Mohammed el-Sharawi, and described him as being a symbol of Islam after Egyptian journalist Farida Shobashi verbally criticized him in TV-program on Tuesday, commenting, “I don’t like Sharawi. It’s my opinion.”

Tahawy asked members of parliament to condemn such behavior and initiate a lawsuit against Shobashi.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives discussed a draft law submitted by parliamentarian Amr Hamroush on insulting historical figures and symbols.

Politicians and intellectuals rejected the draft law, arguing it would set restrictions on freedom of expressions and criticism.

Edited translation from al-Masry al-Youm

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