Egypt Minister in Headscarf Row

November 21, 2006

Author: Heba Saleh

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6169170.stm

Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosni is under pressure to resign after saying that wearing the Islamic headscarf was "regressive".

In parliament, 130 MPs have signed a petition calling for confidence to be withdrawn from the minister.

Mr Hosni will now have to appear before two parliamentary committees to answer a number of questions.

Mr Hosni says he was only expressing a personal opinion and did not intend to offend women who wear the headscarf.