Sex Appeal: Doaa Salah dressed to appear pregnant when she addressed single motherhood on her show. Credit/ BBC
Sex Appeal Advisor Gets Three Years in Jail
A TV presenter has bagged a three-year jail term over “outraging public decency” after she discussed ways of having sex and becoming pregnant outside a conventional marriage in her show.
The Egyptian presenter, on Al-Nahar TV, Doaa Salah, asked if her viewers had considered having sex before marriage, and also suggested a woman could marry briefly to have children before divorcing.
“She was charged and convicted with outraging public decency. Ms Salah was also ordered to pay 10,000 Egyptian pounds (£430) in compensation.
The authorities said the ideas in the programme “threatened the fabric of Egyptian life”, the EFE news agency reports.
Sex before marriage is widely regarded as unacceptable in socially conservative Egypt.
“Ms Salah suggested that a potential husband could be paid for taking part in a short-lived marriage, and also spoke about how sperm donation is an accepted method in Western countries – but not in Egypt.
She was suspended from her presenting job for three months in the aftermath of the broadcast, before legal action was taken against her.
The three-year sentence follows an initial verdict which is open to an appeal”, said the report.
Local laws reflect the fact that Egypt is predominantly an Islamic country. There is respect for local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times which ensures that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs. This is especially important during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.
Peoples are advised to dress modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and souqs (markets). Women’s clothes should cover the legs and upper arms. Men should cover their chests. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. What may be acceptable in the tourist resort areas may not be in other areas.
Drinking alcohol in the street and anywhere other than a licensed restaurant or bar is not allowed and can lead to arrest.
Possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs is a serious offence and can, even for small amounts, lead to lengthy prison sentences (25 years), life imprisonment or the death penalty.