Egypt’s parliament debates banning Western names

Egypt’s parliament today will discuss banning Western names in a move that appears to target the Coptic population. If the bill is passed Egyptians who give their children Western names could face a fine of up to LE5,000 ($280) and a six month prison sentence.

#SisiEra

The draft law was introduced by MP Bedier Abdel Aziz who has said that not only are Western names like Lara and Mark harder to pronounce but the law is necessary to protect Egypt’s heritage:

“Using such Western names and abandoning Arabic ones will lead to an undesired and radical change in our society and culture. Our sons will no longer be connected to their true identity,” Abdel Aziz said in a statement on Sunday.

But as Professor of politics at Nile University Timothy E Kaldas pointed out on Twitter, Christians often use Western versions of biblical names:

Needless to say, parliamentary proposal to ban foreign names primarily targets Christians who often use Western versions of biblical names

— Timothy E Kaldas (@tekaldas) June 12, 2017

My name is Timothy and my brothers are Daniel and Jonathan. If this passes, Mama Kaldas is going to prison! https://t.co/7vugMo2V1z

— Timothy E Kaldas (@tekaldas) June 12, 2017

Egyptian Christians have highlighted deep concern that the current government are doing nowhere near enough to protect Copts who suffer mob attacks, terrorist attacks and discrimination by society.

Read: Egypt’s Coptic Christians face persecution at home and apathy abroad

Others drew attention to the fact that Egypt has more urgent issues to focus on. Unemployment is high, inflation is at 30 per cent and thousands of opposition activists are in jail yet instead of tackling these issues the parliament had decided to debate the use of Western names:

The country literally crumbles but Egypt's parliament is busy discussing a ban on Western first names https://t.co/lD33n5VTPr

— Anckarström, Esq. 🇸🇪🇲🇦🇵🇸 (@ibnkafka) June 12, 2017

Egypt's Parliament to discuss banning Western names tmrw. Parents using such names wld face fines & imprisonment. Meanwhile inflation is 30%

— Timothy E Kaldas (@tekaldas) June 12, 2017