Thursday, Aug 29, 2013
Cairo: Maha Medhat and her fiancée have planned to tie the knot on September 7.
More than two months ago, they contracted a banquet hall in Cairo to host their wedding party and paid the fees. However, an evening-to-dawn curfew imposed by the army-installed government has thrown the couple’s plan into disarray.
“The hall management contacted us the other day and told us the party would not be held in the evening as usual, but would start at 4pm to end before the curfew begins,” says Medhat, a science graduate.
“They also asked us to choose between accepting to have our wedding party held according to the new schedule or getting back our money. We decided to accept the new schedule because we have already sent invitations to the guests and also we want to get married.”
The government clamped the curfew on August 14 as part of a month-long state of emergency to control street violence that erupted after security forces had cleared out two mass protest camps held by backers of the ousted Islamist president Mohammad Mursi.
More than 1,000 people, including 100 policemen, have since been killed in Egypt, according to official figures. Last week, the interim government announced cutting the curfew by two hours to start at 9pm and last until 6am. Still, the curfew will continue to be enforced from 7pm to 6am on Fridays when Mursi’s supporters usually hold anti-government demonstrations.
“This is a new situation for Egyptians particularly in summer, which is traditionally the peak season for wedding parties in Egypt,” says Saeed Mustafa, a wedding planner. “Many would-be spouses have decided to cancel their planned wedding parties, mainly in flashpoint areas inside Cairo. They are afraid that the guests will not be able to reach the wedding halls due to tough security measures.”
The military-backed authorities have portrayed a draconian crackdown on Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood as a fight against terrorism. Dozens of security buildings, churches and public buildings have been destroyed in recent weeks in acts of violence blamed on Mursi’s supporters. Train services are suspended nationwide as part of emergency measures.
Security personnel have, meanwhile, been the target of deadly attacks believed to be carried out by Islamist insurgents mainly in the lawless Sinai Peninsula neighbouring Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
“Despite prevalent worries, the idea of having a wedding party in broad daylight instead of the evening has appealed to some young couples,” says Mustafa, the wedding planner. “Those couples have apparently been influenced by foreign films where such ceremonies are held in gardens in the afternoon. Such a type of parties depends in their attraction on a green environment, which is not easily found in overcrowding Cairo.”
According to Mustafa, Al Azhar Park, a state-run spacious garden on the outskirts of historic Cairo, has emerged as the best location for the daytime wedding functions in the Egyptian capital.
Egyptian brides and grooms have the tradition of going to hairdressers and photo studios before showing up at the wedding party. “This is no longer possible or comfortable at the time of the curfew,” says Mustafa. “The couple will have either to go to the coiffeur and studio early in the day or drop the whole idea in order to save time for the wedding party.
“But one has to say that all businesses related to weddings in Egypt have been hurt due to the street turmoil and the curfew.”
The army, which enforces the curfew, has repeatedly asked the public to comply with its restrictions. Scores of violators have reportedly been arrested and are likely to appear before military courts.
By Ramadan Al Sherbini Correspondent
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
