Writer Sherif al-Shobashy has called on women to take off their head veils (hijab), adding that 99 percent of prostitutes in Egypt wear head veils. Shobashy's words were presented in a video TV host Amr Abdel Hamid showed on Channel 10 Tuesday evening.
"Ninety-nine percent of Egypt's prostitutes are veiled. But if you wear hijab for fear of your father or brother, I am telling you take it off," Shobashy said.
A protest against the writer has been planned in Tahrir Square for May 1 after his comments caused significant controversy.
Writer Farida al-Shobashy defended her brother's comments.
She said in a phone-in on LTC channel Tuesday evening: "And so what? There are people who call for wearing hijab, others who call for taking it off. The one who will hold me accountable is God."
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
