Wouldn't this be a pretty hefty fine for most young Egyptians?

link

CAIRO (AFP) - Two young Egyptians caught in the act of kissing in public in Cairo during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan have been fined 100 pounds (17.50 dollars) each, newspapers reported.

A court in Kasr al-Nil district found the pair guilty of offending public morals when they kissed in broad daylight on the banks of the Nile.

The man, aged 25, argued in his defence that his 21-year-old friend was a colleague whom he regarded as a "sister" and with whom he would exchange a kiss every time their paths crossed.

The holy month of Ramadan is a time for abstinence and religious reflection during daylight hours.

That's a significant percentage of a month's pay, if they're even employed.

However, kissing in public in egypt is pretty much a no no all year round. Holding hands, ok. perhaps snuggling a bit while sitting along the nile, they can over look it. But kissing in public? Nu uh.

Yes, 100LE is a lot of money for many Egyptians . . . particularly if they only make 600-1000LE a month. I forget what the average monthly pay ends up in Egypt, but it isn't that much compared to here. But compared to here, everything else is quite cheap.

BTW, did you see the pic that accompanied the article?? The tourists in front of Al-Azhar? Two women in shorts and strapless tops?? What were they thinking? Egypt is a rather conservative country and it would be nice if ppl tried to be a bit more aware of the culture where they are going.

Sorry to laugh but that is actually a funny post... Who in their right mind would even attempt such a thing in public, but esp during Ramadan?

It brings back memories for me We were taking off our shoes to go into Al Azhar to pray, and some tourists from an asian country (didn't speak english) were attempting to enter wearing tank tops and short shorts. The shoe guy who guards the door was trying to tell them, in his broken english, that they needed to cover up, but they didn't understand. Some of the more popular tourist masjids (Masjid of Amr Ibn El-As and the Mohammad Ali masjid) provide shiney cape like things for people to drape over themselves if they come inadiquetly dressed.

Lesson to be learned - if you're going to tour historic masjids, wear pants and a tshirt, and bring along a scarf in your backpack. I'm pretty sure most tour books tell you that, but I'm amazed at the number of people who ignore that bit of advice.

LOL "Clueless in Cairo" It's just mind-boggling that someone can go to another country and NEVER NOTICE they are completely inappropriately dressed. Well, actually, that happens a lot in the U.S. too, at least as far as I'm concerned.

Look at the Muslim lady's body language. She wants NOTHING to do with those 2 But methinks the guy on the right may be trying to chat them up a bit....

Nice to see you posting again !



-MK

looks like the little boy is saying " hide me mommy from those naked women!!"

And then complain when they get untoward looks or comments.

It happens in Morocco too. I remember getting my henna done and looking over and seeing a woman dressed very inappropriately, I was actually taken aback because it was so out of place. The henna ladies wanted to know what was going on (my face must have show something ), so I said "bad" in Arabic and tilted my head in the woman's direction. They were fawning over me after that, loved that I thought it was bad too, lol, touching my clothes and saying "good, good".

The only couples I saw kissing in Morocco were American women with their Moroccan fiances. (not me).

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And then complain when they get untoward looks or comments.

It happens in Morocco too. I remember getting my henna done and looking over and seeing a woman dressed very inappropriately, I was actually taken aback because it was so out of place. The henna ladies wanted to know what was going on (my face must have show something ), so I said "bad" in Arabic and tilted my head in the woman's direction. They were fawning over me after that, loved that I thought it was bad too, lol, touching my clothes and saying "good, good".

The only couples I saw kissing in Morocco were American women with their Moroccan fiances. (not me).
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I used my 13 hour plane ride to brush up on culture so I wouldn't embarass myself or the man I was meeting!! You girls are correct...didn't take that much effort to investigate and pack accordingly!

Maggie

I find it a little sad to see pictures like that, because it shows a lack of respect and (also of interest) for the country and culture you're visiting.
If people stay within their resorts and wear next to nothing, I guess that's fine, but everything else...

Just my 2 cents.

Now, I guess in all fairness, perhaps the tourists weren't planning on visiting any masjids. There are two very popular ones there, al Azhar and the Hussein Masjid. But, also right there is Khan Khalili, the touristy market place that every Cairo tourists has to stop at. Still, I sure as heck wouldn't want to go dressed like that in Cairo. Cairenese men are not well known for lowering their gaze, if ya know what I mean.

You gotta love the 'trashy westerners' in the pic too

here's your ramadan kiss

Too funny Charles!

The two partially naked women was the first thing I noticed when I opened the link. I wonder why they would think it's appropriate to dress like that there and not realize how much they stick out there?!

When will people learn that you can't legislate morality?

Every society sets standards for what is and is not appropriate in public. Some set the bar a bit higher than others, but there's always that bar.

*edited for spelling*

There are moral standards legislated in every country including this one... it is illegal to walk out in public nude... you will be arrested/fined for indecency in public if you violate this law. It may not be your morals but it is someone's.

Do you advocate we ban that law and allow nudist teachers to teach our children in the buff? Wouldn't want to enforce our morals on anyone right?

Snaps nude teachers? Ye my kids would be *learning* alright

I think it also is a matter of "intuition": I find it strange that people very often just don't notice that they are dressed (and/or behave!- thinking: taking picture without making sure it's ok) inappropriately- and that happens so often, no matter where in the world you are.

I'm pretty sure there's a big difference between kissing in public and public nudity.



Would you prefer officers from the Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and Promotion of Virtue to decide for you what is moral and what is not? They've just set the bar a bit higher, right?

Like in my office


That is your opinion.

In your culture, yes. In another, no. This demonstrates much the same mentality as the women scantilly clad in the photo. To them they are "comfortable" and within what they are accustomed to. In an Islamic country it is an outrage and the people are extremely uncomfortable around people dressed like this. Just is what it is and depends on which soil you are standing.

Public displays of affection in Egypt are not considered acceptable. When I teared up in the airport before leaving, Mohammed put his arm around me to comfort me and was immediately swarmed by security with threats of being hauled off if he didn't move a "respectable distance" away from me.

I would agree. I think a fair comparison would be kissing in public in Egypt and a man going up a woman's shirt in public here.

If I chose to go to a country that has that, then I'll follow their standards.

Wow. Morocco isn't nearly as bad in that respect.

Yes, my understanding is that Morocco is somewhat more liberal.

Jordan is very conservative and we had no problems holding hands, he put his arm around me while sitting, we used to feed each other while eating, help me down the steps, open doors, etc. Kissing is a HUGE no no.

haha help you down the steps cause you love those high heels on cobblestone haha.

Precisely my dear. LOL no matter how much he told me to change I wouldnt. I'm 5'3" and he is 6'3"...I look like a midget next to him without heels!