Egypt's Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa: Women Can Wear Trousers, But Stretch Pants Are "Unacceptable"

CAIRO — Egypt's top Islamic authority defended women's rights to wear trousers in public following a high profile court case in neighboring Sudan were women were flogged for dressing in pants, the local press reported Wednesday.

Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa said in response to a question during a public lecture that trousers covering women's bodies are permitted, though they should be loose and not see through. He specified that "stretch" pants were in particular unacceptable.

Gomaa described the question as "strange and weird" and smiled as he responded. He is the top religious authority of Egypt and appointed by the government.

Sudan caused a stir when it flogged 10 women for wearing trousers. One woman, Lubna Hussein contested penalty and was let off with a fine for public indecency in a trial that garnered international attention.

Ever since her arrest in July, the 43-year-old Hussein used her case to draw attention to Sudan's indecency law, which allows flogging as a punishment for any acts or clothing that is seen as offending morals. The law follows a strict interpretation of Islamic laws. Human rights campaigners criticize the law as vague.

Egypt also has vaguely worded indecency laws that can be widely applied, but women are given quite a bit of leeway in their attire. Unlike Sudan, no moral police is entrusted with implementing the law.

While the vast majority of Egyptian women wear headscarves and loose flowing robes, Western style dress, including trousers, is also quite common.

Comments

[MarcusT]

01:00 AM on 09/21/2009

I'm thinking the Pope has got to be pissed and definitely looking for a new press agent.

[CarolinaYankee]

11:59 AM on 09/17/2009

Stretch pants should be illegal in all countries. It is always the ones who should not wear them that do.

[hanoum]

08:53 AM on 09/17/2009

Stretch pants in that heat and humidity.......?

Seems like good common sense if not comfort (or hygenic) sense not to wear them.

[Labsaregreat]

08:39 AM on 09/17/2009

Seems like a good call.... I was at walmart yesterday and the stretch pant were pretty bad

[MARNIE2]

08:24 AM on 09/17/2009

Islamic Justice.........OBSESSING Over ....WOMEN' S CLOTHING........AGAIN !
It seem to me ........ Islam is great......if you be a ..........MAN .. ?

[RaWash]

03:56 PM on 09/17/2009

it's rather the western media obsessing over islam and what muslims are doing, the guy was asked a question and he answered it (in a very light-hearted way), how is this even a story? also how does it compare to the Pope's anti-condom tirades?

[markquest]

08:14 AM on 09/17/2009

How can a pair of pants be offensive? I don't get why most religions (if not all) have different rules for women from those for men. If they all have to wear a burka or can't wear pants, let them do so or change religion. But something only the women have to do? come on, get on the train to 2009.

[SurrealPumpkin]

09:38 AM on 09/17/2009

Legs. Women aren't supposed to have them. In Victorian England the legs of chairs were covered to avoid indecency.

[Grazziella]

07:38 AM on 09/17/2009

"There can be no compulsion in religion..."

Surah Al Baqarah 2:256

Look it up for yourself. You cannot force one to do as you think is right because religion relies on one's faith and free will. Your belief would have no meaning if you forced someone into submission.

[johnsopinion]

07:19 AM on 09/17/2009

So, per the headline, these are men's rules.....
for men. SURPRISE!

....and man created God in his own image.

[piul05]

06:57 AM on 09/17/2009

Ok, the man has some fashion sense; I'll give him that!

[CarolinaYankee]

12:00 PM on 09/17/2009

Hey, you look just like my Lab Brandi, and sound just as smart.

[KIVPossum]

05:33 AM on 09/17/2009

I'm looking for a place that requires women to wear mini skirts, low cut blouses, and stilletto heels. Mesh stockings would be nice, but not required.

[SurrealPumpkin]

09:39 AM on 09/17/2009

Check out the red light district in your town.

[CarolinaYankee]

12:02 PM on 09/17/2009

Just go to D.C. and ask around, I am sure someone at "C" street could direct you to an appropriate place. Some say it is Argentina, some Louisiana, some just stay around town.

[Macready]

05:22 AM on 09/17/2009

Egyptian women wear jeans and trousers.

[Wisdo]

04:45 AM on 09/17/2009

Any concensus on what sort of underwear is acceptable oh great mufti?

What about bras - strapless or no?

And what's your position on heels - their height and pointyness?

[cliffhammond]

02:15 AM on 09/17/2009

I wonder if we could get that guy to ban ribbon bows and glitter eye shadow.

[cliffhammond]

01:59 AM on 09/17/2009

There was a 240-lb secretary at work who used to wear leopard leotards from Target with high-topped patten leather boots and three-pounds of blue eye shadow. When her alcoholic husband had been knocking her around the trailer the night before, she wore 5-lbs of blue eye shadow and went ahead and taped the whole mascara pencil to her eyelashes. Personally, I think her appearance was a sin no matter what drove her to such extremes.

[duxguts]

01:32 AM on 09/17/2009

Why is it that so many religions tell women how to dress?

[cliffhammond]

02:01 AM on 09/17/2009

I'm with you. My rabbi tried to tell me not to wear shorts and tank-top to synagogue but I wouldn't listen to him.

[Hollywooddeed]

08:13 AM on 09/17/2009

But were you flogged?

[Sirdi]

02:19 AM on 09/17/2009

Maybe that is the function and purpose of religions - guidance.

[Wisdo]

04:46 AM on 09/17/2009

The function of religion is clearly expanded fashion conciousness.