Human Rights Lawyer In Egypt Sues To Stop "Hesba" Proponent

Egyptian human rights lawyer Naguib Gobraiel filed a lawsuit in Cairo on Wednesday against fellow-lawyer Nabih el Wahsh charging him with "ghawi shohra" or "seeking fame." The charges stem from el Wahsh's long history of bringing "Hesba" cases against intellectuals, artists, religious leaders and government ministers charging them with immorality or blasphemy. The doctrine of Hesbah allows any Mulim to take legal action against anyone seen as harming Islam. In Egypt, the doctrine also extends to actions seen as immoral or injurious to the country. UAE's The National yesterday reported that el Wahsh has filed nearly 1000 Hesbah cases in the past ten years. For example he recently filed suit attempting to get seven TV series removed from Egyptian and Arab stations during Ramadan for violating Islamic law and presenting immoral scenes. Most of el Wahsh's cases are dismissed by the prosecutor general before they get to court. However earlier this year he won a case stripping Egyptian nationality from anyone married to an Israeli. If Gobraiel's lawsuit is successful, it could lead to a fine being imposed on el Wahsh.