Egypt cancels Jewish festival in Nile Delta

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://news.yahoo.com/egypt-cancels-jewish-festival-nile-delta-152129296.html

AFP – 22 hrs ago

Egypt on Wednesday called off an annual Jewish festival in the Nile Delta, which draws Israeli pilgrims every year to the tomb of holy man Abu Hassira.

Egypt has informed Israel that it would not be "appropriate" for the pilgrims to make the annual visit to the northern province of Beheira, foreign ministry sources said.

The Abu Hassira festival, which was made possible after Egypt signed a 1979 peace treaty with Israel, has repeatedly drawn angry reactions from residents of the village.

Several cases have been filed in court demanding that it end.

The decision to cancel the gathering came after several political groups launched a campaign against the influx of Israeli visitors.

The Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Centre on Wednesday slammed the decision, which it said was influenced by Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, who have just claimed the lead in landmark post-revolution parliamentary elections.

"It is an ominous sign that they ascend to power in the Egyptian parliament, the Muslim Brotherhood's first act is to curb the religious freedom of Jews," said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Wiesenthal Centre.

Abu Hassira is a renowned religious figure from Morocco, who fell ill and died in Egypt in 1880.

The pilgrimage was allowed under ousted president Hosni Mubarak, but efforts were made to keep it low-key.

[The_Dude 1,142]

My first impression when I saw the article headline was that this was going to be a politically motivated move by Egypt. You could still make that case given who has grabbed the most seats in the newly formed Egyptian government. However, the fact is, Egypt just had a major upheavel and overthrew their government. The new fledgling government lacks credibility and real authority, especially since they have a tenuous relationship with the military at the moment. I think it could potentially be unsafe for a large group of Israelis to visit at this time.

[AMP 54]

I think all countries should have religious freedoms. I would not have expected anything more or less. I guess less people will be traveling to Egypt.