CAIRO – Egypt's top Islamic authority has defended women's rights to wear trousers in public following a high profile court case in neighboring Sudan were women were flogged for dressing in pants.
Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa said in a public lecture Monday that trousers covering women's bodies are permitted, emphasizing they should be loose and not see through.
Gomaa's remarks were published Wednesday in the Egyptian daily al-Shorouk as well as other newspapers. His answer was in response to a question from the audience.
Sudan caused a stir when it flogged 10 women for wearing trousers. One contested penalty and was let off with a fine for public indecency in a trial that garnered international attention.
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