Al-Ahram Weekly | Egypt

		Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 28 Dec. 2000 - 3 Jan. 2001 Issue No.514
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875		Current issue \| Previous issue \| Site map

Restoring vision
MRS SUZANNE Mubarak hailed the national campaign to eradicate visual impairment organised by the Ministry of Health under the motto: "Vision is a right for all," which began on Sunday and will run for a month. She said that this lofty initiative must be crowned by a comprehensive programme to solve this long-standing problem.
In a speech read out on her behalf by Health Minister Ismail Sallam, she said "it is inconceivable that in the 21st century, we are still depriving some citizens of eyesight."
The gathering -- organised by the Nasser Institute -- was attended by Sheikh of Al-Azhar Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, Grand Mufti Nasr Farid Wassel, Minister of Al-Awqaf (religious endowments) Hamdi Zaqzouq, Hamdi El-Sayed, head of the doctors' syndicate and Bishop Bassanti, representing Pope Shenouda III. Tantawi affirmed that corneas removed from people who have just died for transplant purposes are religiously permitted, "since it is a useful service and, according to doctors, does not disfigure the body of the deceased."
Organ transplants are illegal in Egypt and, until recently, it was debated whether cornea transplants should be permitted. Endorsing Tantawi's opinion, Wassel said that cornea transplants are not against Islamic law and that they are, in fact, considered a charitable gift from the donor. Bishop Bassanti confirmed this view, saying it was a great initiative on the part of Mrs Mubarak and the Health Ministry.
Mrs Mubarak announced the establishment of committees in every governorate -- under the National Committee for the Eradication of Blindness and Weak Vision -- to gather statistics on causes of blindness and weak vision, in addition to early detection, prevention and proper treatment of diseases leading to visual impairment. Also, account number 66666 has been opened at the National Bank of Egypt to receive donations supporting the aims of the campaign, she said. She initiated the donations by authorising the contribution of half a million pounds.

Tourism's shifting fortunes
DESPITE five million visitors this year, the most in Egypt's history, Israeli violence in the Palestinian territories has taken its toll on tourism in the country, reports Rehab Saad.
On Sunday, Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and Tourism Minister Mamdouh El-Beltagui met workers in the tourism industry to discuss the impact of the regional political situation on Egyptian tourism.
During the meeting, organised by the Egyptian Travel Writers' Associations, El-Beltagui said since November the number of tourists coming through Egypt's eastern border had dropped dramatically. He said the number of Israeli tourists plummeted by 91 per cent while Palestinian tourism took a 73 per cent nose-dive. "The preliminary statistics concerning hotel occupancy rates for the first half of December in southern Sinai, in the Taba-Nuweiba area in particular, show a continued decrease in the number of tourists. With the beginning of the holiday season, hotels have started to record better rates, however, the future [of tourism] is related to progress in the peace process," El-Beltagui said.
He urged all concerned investors to cooperate with the Ministry of Tourism in marketing the area internationally as opposed to the current dependence on the regional market.
Moussa said that despite the setback in the peace process, recent developments open a window of opportunity for peace and stability in the Middle East.

Soap in court
THE SELF-PROCLAIMED aim of the Ramadan soap opera Awan Al-Ward (Flowers Bloom) was to deal positively with the relationship between the nation's Muslims and Copts. But many took offence with the television serial, with two Copts taking the show to court, requesting that it be banned.
The Giza Court of Urgent Matters, where the case was filed, disqualified itself, saying the matter was outside its jurisdiction, and sent it instead to the Cairo Court of Urgent Matters which will open hearings on 6 January.
Many are convinced that any decision taken by the court will be redundant since the show has ended. Others believe a ruling will prevent a re-run of the serial which, they argue, undermines national unity and sows the seeds of sectarian strife.

Airport arrest
SALAHEDDIN Mohsen, a little-known author found guilty of deriding Islam and holding the Prophet Mohamed in contempt, was arrested on Saturday at Cairo International Airport before boarding a flight to Turkey. Mohsen was convicted in August by a State Security Court but given a suspended sentence of six months.
The verdict was welcomed by liberal intellectuals but prosecutors objected, questioning the legality of the ruling. They submitted an appeal to the office for the ratification of court sentences requesting a re-trial. Their appeal was accepted on 14 December and a new trial was ordered for 20 January before another circuit of the State Security Court. If found guilty, Mohsen could face up to five years behind bars.

Pilot in limbo
ANOTHER court sentence is being contested, this time by EgyptAir. The case in question is that of pilot Ali Murad who refused demands by the Israeli military to search his plane after it landed at Gaza Airport. Leaving behind passengers, he returned to Cairo with an empty plane.
EgyptAir described the pilot's action as irresponsible and effectively suspended him from work, a decision that was overruled by a court this week. Management has filed an appeal.
Compiled by Fatemah Farag

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