For the first time in history following a gruelling court case, a verdict allowed that female television hosts and anchors working on Egypt’s state TV have the right to wear the hijab (headscarf).

Although the ruling was announced just recently on December 4, the number of veiled TV hosts has notably escalated, ending the repression of freedom of attire formerly enforced by authorities.

The case of veiled TV hosts goes as far back as 1970, when Kariman Hamza wore the veil while presenting her TV show. The number increased in 2002 when 5 TV hosts working on the Alexandria channel 5 were prevented from appearing on their shows because of their veils.

In 2003, 6 veiled female hosts were also banned from appearing on air including 2 from the Nile News Channel, And 2 from the English Nile TV channel. All in all 24 veiled TV hosts were banned from appearing on the screen before the revolution.

Since 1965, state TV had maintained a secular look, not allowing female anchors to appear with any religious symbols despite no written statement banning the veil.

Many veiled hosts were reduced to roles behind the camera for wearing the veil working on audio, while others handed in resignations for being denied the right to appear on air wearing their veils. State television and radio had banned them hosts such as Kamelia el Araby from appearing. Former chairman Hassan Hamed had announced that any contracts would be annulled in the case of TV hosts choosing to wear the headscarf.

In fact, 95% of graduates majoring in radio and television in journalism in Egypt wear the headscarf, causing a gap in the number of those able to be part of the work force.   »»» Ikhwanweb

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