09/26/2020 Egypt (International Christian Concern) – A TV host on Egyptian news channel CBC commented that there is a “devil” inside women who do not wear a hijab. The comments have stirred a number of reactions, especially consider that the presenter was herself unveiled.
Her comment hit at a tender ignition point within Egyptian society. Christian women have no religious reason to constantly wear a head covering, although some do wear some type of scarf (and even black clothing) in order to alleviate social pressure. Past studies have shown that Christian women who do not wear a head covering are more often targeted for sexual harassment, as well as kidnappings which often lead to forced conversion to Islam and marriage.
Christian women live more visibly within Egyptian society whenever they do not adhere to Islamic dress. Public forum comments against unveiled women encourage religious persecution against an already vulnerable and highly visible demographic within society.
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