Elhamy Agena is a member of the Egyptian parliament who has recently been making headlines and not for any good reason. He has previously made extremely controversial – and ignorant – claims such as women are the main problem behind the Islamic sin of “Zina”, men are sexually weak, and female circumcision should not be banned and should be permitted. Therefore, his latest call for action, will be of no surprise.
However, after further questioning, it becomes subtly evident that Elhamy does want females to be permitted to or rejected from universities depending on the results of their virginity tests.
Yesterday, Al Youm Al Sabe3 shared a news headline stating that Elhamy is calling upon virginity checkups on female students before being permitted to universities. Questioning the reality of this shocking news, TV host Gaber Al Karmooty had a phone call with Elhamy during his episode last night, to get Elhamy’s thoughts on the matter. At first Elhamy denied having called for such an action, stating that what he had said merely questioned the measures needed, to ensure university students don’t get involved in secret marriages (Gawaz Orfy).
After Gaber continued to question Elhamy, Elhamy finally came about to state, that in a phone call with a female reporter for Al Youm Al Sab3, he suggested if the society, universities and parents are ok with it, then drug tests should be done on all students, and a virginity test should be done at university clinics on unmarried females. Afterwards, parents should be informed of the results. Elhamy then made a clarification, stating: “I did not say that this is should be a condition for their university acceptances.” However, after further questioning, it becomes subtly evident that Elhamy does want females to be permitted to or rejected from universities depending on the results of their virginity tests.
In the case of those who are unlawfully married, or are unmarried and committing the sin of Zina, you still have no right meddling in their lives.
Dear Elhamy, are you unaware that there could be rape victims that are trying to forget or move on with their lives? What would then happen if someone like you comes along and convinces institutions with your perspective? You will be resurfacing the pain and the anger and the loneliness of this rape victim, that has taken it upon herself to forget and move on with her life in the first place, out of fear that people like you will judge her and punish her for getting raped. If that isn’t enough, if the parents of this rape victim have just a hint of the ignorance you possess, this girl can very well get murdered for a sin she did not commit. The blood of innocents will be on your hands.
In the case of those who are unlawfully married, or are unmarried and committing the sin of Zina, you still have no right meddling in their lives. It is not your duty, nor anyones, to discover and unravel the secrets or sins or actions of others. Not under any circumstance within such parameters. We can swallow your call for drug tests, as they could possibly save the life of a student – in an extreme case. However, a virginity test?
If your concern is Islamic, then this very religion you are trying to protect with such claims, asks its followers to cover up the tracks of sinners, in arabic terms “Ostor” sinners.
If your concern is Islamic, then this very religion you are trying to protect with such claims, asks its followers to cover up the tracks of sinners, in arabic terms “Ostor” sinners. In a confirmed Hadith, prophet mohammed says: “Whoever veils another Muslim, Allah veils him on the day of judgement.” There is no one who knows the full truth, and no one should be judging others, other than God. What you are doing, is rather going against the very teachings of Islam. And although you may have never practiced Zina, your sins within other realms may be much greater on God’s scale than the sins of someone practicing Zina.
Instead of focusing on how to stop unlawful marriages amongst students, focus on fighting domestic abuse and harassment, focus on fixing the issue of kidnapping children (which is a huge Egyptian social problem), focus on eliminating poverty (a problem we have yet to see a solution for), or even focus on educating citizens in all realms to eliminate the ignorance that you yourself have so often portrayed.
