Ban on religious celebration draws criticism in Egypt.

Byline: Ramadan Al Sherbini, Correspondent

Cairo: A ban, imposed by the Egyptian government on religious celebrations, has drawn massive criticism in this predominantly Muslim country. Thousands of Egyptians from around the country this week defied the ban and gathered in Cairo to celebrate the birthday of Sayeda Zeinab, the granddaughter of the Prophet (PBUH).

The government has said that the ban is a preventive measure against swine flu, which claimed its first Egyptian victim on July 19. "The explanation made by the authorities to cancel moulids (religious festivals) is unconvincing," said Al Hussaini Abdul Hassan, the chief of Al Jawharia Sufi order.

"Had the authorities been really concerned about the spread of swine flu, they would have closed cinema houses and cancelled football matches, watched by thousands at stadiums," he told Gulf News.

Around 28 Muslim and Christian festivals are held annually in this country. Many Muslim and Christian Egyptians flock to shrines, where saints are buried, in order to invoke their blessings and celebrate their birthdays.

"The official who issued this ban has no right to do this," said Shaikh Ahmad Yousuf, a frequent visitor to the Mosque of Zeinab.

"By imposing this ban, the government incurs the wrath of the Prophet (PBUH). Will the government be able to enforce the ban on Christian festivals? If it did, would Americans stand watching," he told this newspaper.

Christians account for around 10 million of Egypt's 80 million population. Tensions between Egypt's Muslims and Christians are not uncommon, triggered by disputes over conversions and the construction of places of worship.

Critics have urged the government to scrap the ban, which they warned could fan sectarian strains if the Christian minority were allowed to hold their celebrations.

Some others cite economic losses resulting from the ban. "People who attend the moulids, especially those of Sayeda Zeinab and Al Hussain (Prophet's [PBUH] grandson) buy huge quantities of meat and give them away to the poor," said Ahmad Abbas, a butcher who works near Sayeda Zeinab Mosque.

"Some celebrated entertainers have the tradition of donating money and sending a representative to buy cooked meals and distribute to the poor. The ban hits the poor hard."

Hardliners, however, welcomed the ban. "These celebrations are unIslamic," said Ahmad Amin, the secretary-general of Ansar Al Sunna (Supporters of the Prophet's [PBUH] traditions).

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