Religious authorities in Egypt confiscate books, tapes in raid

[dArKeR]

NEW POWERS: The raid follows on the heels of the justice minister granting an Islamic institution the right to confiscate and ban material it deems offensive

AFP , CAIRO
Monday, Jun 07, 2004,Page 7

Egypt's religious authorities raided book stores and stands on Saturday, confiscating hundreds of publications as well as audio and video tapes they claim do not conform to Islamic teachings.

The raid came only three days after Justice Minister Faruq Seif al-Nasr granted Al-Azar, Sunni Islam's most prestigious institution, wide-ranging powers to ban and confiscate material it deems violate religious principles.

Novels by secular writers and even unorthodox versions of the Islamic holy book, the Koran, were seized in the raids, raising concerns the religious establishment might use its new powers to suppress free thought.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/06/07/2003174125

[belle]

1. Swell.

[DBoon]

2. Just wait until WE become a Christian republic

The folks pushing this are not open-minded ecumenicals. They have a definite idea that there is a right way to interpret Christian doctrine and that non-conforming interpretations are blasphemy.

Note the problems the Unitarians had in Texas with their tax-exempt status.

[Skip Intro]

3. "...might use its new powers to surpress free thought"

might?

For some reason, I feel suspicious of this.

[LastDemocratInSC]

4. I hope they don't destroy the ancient library at Alexandria (n/t)

[AndyTiedye]

5. Or the New One that they Just Built

Egypt's new national library is in Alexandria.
Its contents are likely being purged as we speak :-(

[Aidoneus]

7. The first was destroyed by a Christian

What is your point?

Washington's Little Pet Mubarak is getting desperate, is all.

[gottaB]

6. Nawal El Saadawi

http://www.nawalsaadawi.net/news/2004/azharbans.htm