The Alexandria Administrative Court on Sunday decided to postpone the case concerning bearded police officers to 6 May.
A Central Security Forces officer named Mohamed al-Sayed and others had filed a lawsuit with the State Council, which houses the administrative court system, saying they were moved to the reserve forces because they grew beards. No law prohibits the growing of beards, especially if they do not impede their work in any way, they contended.
However, the CSF administration said the Police Law prohibits officers from growing beards and mandates that they cut their hair short and wear their uniforms during working hours.
A standoff erupted last month between bearded police officers and Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim, who referred 17 of them to a disciplinary board according to Article 67 of the Police Law, which authorizes him to do so for the public good. Ibrahim also said that bearded officers should be demoted to subordinate duties that do not involve policing or carrying weapons.
Dar al-Ifta, the highest state body responsible for issuing religious decisions, issued a statement in February urging bearded officers to respect police rules so long as they do not clash with Islamic teachings.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
