Culture
New fatwa reignites hijab controversy in Egypt
Al-Azhar's new fatwa prohibiting women from praying without a headscarf has renewed the hijab debate in Egypt.
CAIRO — A veiling fatwa recently issued by Egypt’s Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's highest religious authority, has sparked outrage and criticism among Egyptians.
On July 8, Al-Azhar's Global Center for Electronic Fatwas published its “Eid Prohibitions,” a series of measures to observe during Eid al-Adha, on Facebook. One forbids women from leaving home without the hijab.
The statement was met with widespread criticism online. The following day, the institution changed the wording to forbid women from attending Eid prayers without the veil.
The change, however, did not put an end to the controversy.
