European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 21, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Ancient Egypt to feminism has. Been under. Attack in Egypt since a fundamentalist surge began in the mid-1980s. The most obvious evidence of change is the reemergence of the veil. The veiling islamic revival Many egyptian women abandon Liberal history by Zina Heady the associated press Naniel Sayyed 21 and pretty believes a woman s role is to Pray Wear the veil and obey her husband. She can work Only if he lets her. Disobeying him condemns her to hell. Al Sayyed is part of a trend that alarms egyptian feminists whose predecessors were the  arabs to lift the veil some try to maintain that Liberal tradition but Many have switched rather than fight. In mosques controlled by fundamentalists preachers outline the Fife women like al Sayyed prefer be veiled stay at Home obey your husband care for the children. Every monday she hurries from her Job at a clothing factory to her mosque in the Middle class Dokkin neighbourhood to hear such advice. Her head is covered by a Hegab a Scarf Over the hair and neck. Her slim figure is concealed by a Long sleeved shirt worn Over an ankle length skirt conforming to the islamic Tenet that a woman should cover everything except face and hands. What about women who Wear such Western clothing As pants or Short skirts Quot it s wrong it s shameful al Sayyed said. Quot they sin when they walk naked like that in the Street and they make men sin by looking at  al Sayyed who is single agreed with other women in her mosque that a woman should work Only if her husband cannot afford to support the family. Even then he must consent to her working and Quot if you disobey your husband you will go to  women who oppose the islamic tide come under pressure from fundamentalists sometimes even from the moderate secular government which worries about. Independent political thinking. It banned the Only Active women s association in 1990 for relying into politics. Since june however founder Nawal al Saddawi has been under police Protection because of threats from Muslim extremists. Modern Egypt s feminist movement usually is traced to the 1920s and Hoda Shaarawi wife of a Rich politician. She led the first demonstration by veiled women. In 1923 Shaarawi returned unveiled from an International women s meeting in Rome and Muslim Arab women elsewhere followed her Lead. Her egyptian feminist movement gained momentum in the mid-1930s, but not until 1956 did egyptian women even gain the right to vote. Amina al Saeed 78, a Shaarawi disciple who became a prominent journalist says women have lost the urge to resist. Quot Egypt which was the Leader in everything now has these extremists poisoning women s minds Quot she said in an interview. Quot they Tell them that education is against.  women she said Quot have lost the desire to fight Quot a a a _ since a fundamentalist surge began in the mid 1980s, feminism in Egypt has been under attack. The most obvious evidence of change is a widespread reemergence of the veil in assorted forms. Most veiled egyptians prefer the Hegab but some a resort to the full gear chador a a Black iranian style Robe a gloves and a veil covering the face. Despite government rules forbidding obligatory veils for schoolgirls some head mistresses Are said to have made the Hegab mandatory. At least one was reported fired for refusing to Back Down. Even some actresses and belly dancers who appeared almost nude on the screen or stage a few years ago have taken the veil and retired proclaiming that cod ordered them to abandon their sinful lives. A prominent journalists have accused the stars of accepting Large payoffs from Quot foreign countries Quot a implicitly conservative saudi Arabia. Al Saddawi founder of the women s association was the first Arab woman to write on virginity sex and female circumcision. She blames the backlash against feminism on president Anwar Sadat s overtures to Muslim fundamentalists before they killed him in 19b1, Quot the politics of Sadat harmed feminism Quot she said. Quot we Are still suffering from it now. The fundamentalists increased in Power. They were encouraged by the  t it was also under sad3t that women made their biggest Legal breakthrough. The personal status Law of 1979 gave a woman such revolutionary remedies As the right to divorce a husband who took a second wife without her consent. Islam allows a Man four wives Zeinab Elghazali 75, is the opposite kind of activist she has dedicated her life to islam under Sadat s predecessor carnal Abdel Nasser she was imprisoned for three years and tortured. Elghazali played a crucial role in keeping alive the fundamentalist legacy of Hassan Elbanna founder of the Muslim brotherhood after his assassination in 1949. Despite a personal crusade that took her away from wifely duties Elghazali believes a Muslim woman s most important role is homemaker. She also feels however that women should be educated and work As men do. Quot when the Muslim nation is founded women will have a role in All aspects of the state Quot she told a reporter. A a a woman she feels should have no Choice about the veil and dress code Quot this is what cod and his Prophet imposed. It s not up to Muslim individuals to say it cannot be  her views Are Liberal compared to those of al Camba al is Lamina the islamic group which wants to impose islamic Law by forced in a crude Handwritten Magazine called Muslim women the extremists warn against temptations like watching movies leaving the House unless necessary even education. Quot what can be expected from a girl who spends four years at University studying English literature and Shakespeare Quot the Magazine asked. Quot what can be expected from a girl who gives up marriage under the pretext that she wants to Complete her education Quot january 21, 199j stripes Magazine 9