Egyptian anchorwoman, Fatma Nabil, read the Channel 1 news broadcast on Sunday whilst wearing a veil. This is the first time a news presenter has appeared on Egypts state television their hair and neck. This marks the end of a ban disallowing Muslim women to cover up on-air. Although many Egyptian women cover their hair, […]
Egyptian anchorwoman, Fatma Nabil, read the Channel 1 news broadcast on Sunday whilst wearing a veil. This is the first time a news presenter has appeared on Egypts state television their hair and neck. This marks the end of a ban disallowing Muslim women to cover up on-air.
Although many Egyptian women cover their hair, those employed by Egypts Radio and Television Union would have to remain off camera, in accordance to the rules set by former President Hosni Mubarak and his predecessors. Women in the industry who wore headscarves or veils were strictly kept out of the media, unless acting in a soap opera or working for a private network.
The overthrow of Mubarak in 2011 has marked a rise of Islamists with President Mohammed Morsi being elected into power.
Salah Abdel Maqsud, member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s largest and most organised political force, is the new Islamist information minister. According to a private satellite channel, Maqsud said he could see no reason why a woman in hijab could not present the national news.
Anchorwoman Nabil worked with Misr 25, the Muslim Brotherhood TV network, after being barred from state TV for appearing on air wearing her veil.
On being allowed back onto state TV, Nabil said: Now the standards have nothing to do with the veil, which is a personal choice, but are all about professional skills and intellect.