Women voters beaten at Egyptian polling site

www.msnbc.msn.com ^ | 6:27 a.m. ET Dec. 7, 2005

[Esther Ruth]

Women voters beaten at Egyptian polling site

Authorities block polling station in Muslim Brotherhood stronghold

Updated: 6:27 a.m. ET Dec. 7, 2005

ZAQAZIQ, Egypt - Police beat back women voters with sticks when they tried to enter a cordoned-off polling station in an opposition stronghold in the Nile Delta on Wednesday, the final day of Egypt’s staggered legislative elections.

The clashes were the latest violence in a three-stage election that has been marred by state interference.

Police blocked access to a polling station in the city of Zagazig’s Nasiriyah district, where a candidate supported by the Muslim Brotherhood was favored to win. The Brotherhood is the country’s largest opposition group.

About 25 women managed to push through the police line, prompting more officers to rush at them to hold them back. Some officers beat the women with sticks while others shoved them back.

“Nobody is entering here,” a police officer bellowed to the crowd, which continued to push the phalanx of officers. The polling station doors were closed.

[ken5050]

I'm coming more and more to the conclusion that the real target of AlQeda will be Egypt, and not Saudi Arabia..SA has the religious symbolism, but the monarchy will ultimately fight them hard to preserve their rice bowl. Mubarak is trying to institute a dynastic succession to his son, but that has about as much chance of success as did Assad's plan to give Syria to his son....When Hosni goes..Egypt may well coem unglued, and the moslem brotherhood is the only main power block there..

[Esther Ruth]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1535573/posts
Democracy, Mubarak-style

[ken5050]

I'd read it..so tell me ma'am, why does the US keep giving Egypt about $4 billion in aid each year?

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

"the city of Zagazig" ? Zigzag?

[BenLurkin]

"The Muslim Brotherhood calls for implementing Islamic law but has long been vague about what this means. It campaigns for headscarves for women and against immodest dress, for example, but it insists it stands for a more moderate version of Islam than that followed in Saudi Arabia."