Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

Revenge in Upper Egypt is enforceable and its concept is uncompromising. It is above the law and court decisions. There, people believe one who does not take revenge by his own hands is weak and a coward, and does not deserve to carry his family’s name. Hence, the culture of Upper Egypt does not recognize the sovereignty of law. Some people ignore the law altogether and resort to their weapons to resolve any dispute. Although the state is fully aware of this highly complicated problem, it has not provided any vision or program to deal with it seriously.

Ten days ago in al-Hujayrāt, about 15 km north to Qena, a massacre took place when ‘Abd al-Muttalib and al-‘Amārinah families exchanged fire. This resulted in seven dead, including an old woman, and three injured. This incident was followed by another, when ‘Abd al-Muttalib family decided to take revenge on the accused, which resulted in another dead and three injured. These incidents raise questions concerning the reasons for this violence dominating Upper Egypt.

Curfew was declared in some areas of al-Hujayrāt after the afternoon prayer. Other areas are almost free of men, and the percentage of widows has reached 80% because of revenge crimes. Two hundred revenge crimes were reported last year.

 

The recent massacre in al-Hujayrāt promises dire future consequences. The notion of mass killing may spread, especially because the original rules, which exclude women and children from physical harm, have changed.