Controversy implodes at Al-Azhar in the wake of PDA incident
Although Al-Azhar’s grand imam reversed a decision to expel a female university student for hugging a male friend, the issue has revived fears over conservative and religious views rampant in Egypt’s universities.
CAIRO — A decision to expel a female student from Al-Azhar University’s Mansoura branch Jan. 12 has stirred controversy across the country.
The decision was made after the student in question hugged her friend at a birthday party held inside the campus of Mansoura University. With people taking opposing positions, a number of campaigns were launched in defense of the Egyptian student. A handful of hashtags created by activists and artists have managed to garner popularity, including ones that translate into #LoveisnotaCrime and #IstandinSolidaritywithAlAzharStudent.
Conversely, some criticized the acts of the two students for being supposedly too indecent for a university campus.
A video went viral on Jan. 2 that shows a young man kneeling down and holding a flower bouquet he presents to his female friend (who attends Al-Azhar University) before hugging her inside the campus of Mansoura University, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Education and is not related to Al-Azhar University.
