Egypt Bans New Marvel Movie due to Openly Gay Character

Marvel's “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” has been banned in Egypt over the gay characters featured in the film.

In a Tweet on April 23, IMAX Egypt, a chain of movie theaters famous for showing films in 3D, announced that they wouldn't be offering Marvel's newest installation of Dr. Strange. "Doctor Strange and Wanda will not be here during their journey between universes," the Tweet said.

Egypt Proposes Law That Would Ban Journalists From Talking About Religion

On Sunday, February 20, an Egyptian lawmaker proposed a law that will ban "non-specialist" journalists from discussing religion. The proposal responds against Ibrahim Issa's statement on February 18, dismissing the Prophet Muhammad's ascension.

Tarek Radwan, head of the Human Rights Committee of the Egyptian Parliament, proposed the law draft. Ali Gomaa, of the parliament's Religious Affairs Committee, signaled his support for Radwan's proposal.

Egyptian Journalist Investigated for Questioning Muhammad's Ascension

An Egyptian journalist's statement sparked outrage among Egypt's hardline Islamists, accusing the journalist of committing "contempt of Islam." Ibrahim Issa, an outspoken critic against Muslim groups, claimed on Friday, February 18, that the Prophet Muhammad's journey to Jerusalem never happened.

Egyptian Christian Sentenced to Years in Prison for Blasphemy Against Islam

On January 29, the Cairo Economic Court ruled that Marco Gerges, a Coptic Christian, is guilty of multiple charges, including "contempt for Islam,” resulting in a five-year prison sentence.

Egyptian Bill to Jail Wife-Beaters Reignites Religious Debate

By Abdulla Gaafarelkhalifa

On February 1, 2022, the Egyptian parliament discussed increasing the penalty for wife-beating proposed by a female lawmaker, Amal Salama. Salama stated that she did not believe the current penal code provided “appropriate penalties” for domestic violence.

As it stands, women are unprotected as no law specifically criminalizes domestic abuse against women. Salama’s proposal details imprisonment of up to five years for men who beat their wives.

80-year-old Egyptian Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for "Contempt of Islam"

On November 18th, the Nozha Misdemeanors Court of Egypt sentenced Ahmed Abdo Maher to five years in prison. The sentence stated that Maher is guilty of "contempt of Islam, stirring up sectarian strife and posing a threat to the national unity."

Egyptian Cleric Issues Fatwa on Bodybuilding

Abdullah Rushdy, an Egyptian Muslim preacher, issued a fatwa against bodybuilding and bodybuilding competitions. In an October 11 tweet, Rushdy explained that bodybuilding makes men display their “awrah.” Competitive bodybuilders are “showing intimate parts, which should be covered according to the Sharia,” Rushdy tweeted.

Influential Egyptian Author Supports Removal of Religion from ID cards

Egypt’s former Culture Minister, Gaber Asfour, has vocally expressed his support in removing the religious identity section from Egypt’s National ID. Responding to a question on the public opinion program, Rai Aam, Asfour asked, “Do you have to specify in the card that you are a civilian Muslim or a Salafi Muslim? This no longer happens; we are not in the time of the Taliban.”

Gaza Revises Recent Ruling That Women Need Male Permission to Travel

On Sunday, February 14th, a Hamas-run Islamic court ruled that unmarried women in the Gaza Strip now require permission from a male ‘guardian’ to travel, which is usually an older male relative. A married woman would require approval from her husband. Permission to travel without guardianship would have to be authorized by a court.