Poor Egyptian women stay in line to vote against themselves
Il Giornale, November 29 2011
Yesterday, Western televisions showed Egyptians women queuing to vote, with their heads covered or uncovered, wearing jeans or skirts, joyful, and hopeful for the wonderful power instrument of elections. And all the media voiced their usual enthusiasm: the Arab spring will lead to democracy, as fortunately shown by women. Instead, it would have been better to feel a spine chilling sensation in seeing those suffering and exploited women who are now rejoicing: indeed their lot tomorrow may be far worse.
There are clear signs that the Muslim Brothers – leaders among all Islamist groups and the most organized among Egyptian movements – will win yesterday’s elections. So, Egyptian women, you know what this means. Of course, you laugh when the Muslim Brothers promise to manage their loyalty to Islam with a soft hand. Their coercive force will soon be clear: three people out of ten are illiterate and four live on less than two dollars per day. It’s an ideal turf for fanaticism. Some months ago, a pew poll showed that 60 per cent of Egyptians choses to strictly comply with the sharia law, 84 per cent wants the death penalty for those who leave Islam, 77 per cent says that thieves should have their hand cut off and, please listen carefully, 82 per cent wants adulterous women to be stoned to death. A turf that the Muslim Brothers know how to till and sow.
Women, prepare your scarves. I mean the headscarves.