Egypt's first female judge, Tahany El Gebali.
Egypt's first female judge, Tahany El Gebali.
Egypt's first female judge, Tahany El Gebali.
Egypt's first female judge, Tahany El Gebali.

MENA

Egypt's first female judge dies of Covid-19, aged 71

Appointed vice president of Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court in 2003, Tahany El Gebali was celebrated as a leading feminist

Kamal Tabikha
Kamal Tabikha
Cairo

January 09, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Egypt’s first female judge, Tahany El Gebali, died on Sunday aged 71 after contracting Covid-19.

The former vice president of Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court died at a hospital in Giza, where she was being treated for the disease.

A funeral for El Gebali was held on Sunday in her home town of Tanta, the largest city in Egypt’s Gharbia province. Thousands attended the funeral, which was televised on local television channels.

An outspoken critic of Egypt’s outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, El Gebali in 2003 became the first Egyptian woman to be appointed to a judiciary position, by then president Hosni Mubarak.

She was the only woman on the bench until the induction of 32 others into the judiciary in 2007.

Born on November 20, 1950, El Gebali graduated from the faculty of law at Mansoura University in 1973.

After news of her death emerged, Egyptian social media users were markedly divided on her legacy.

Some lamented the loss of one of the country’s most prominent feminists, while others criticised her for controversial constitutional amendments that she approved after the 2011 popular uprising that removed Mubarak.

Her rulings were widely criticised for undermining the power of the people during the uprising and handing it to the military-led interim government that preceded the brief rule of Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi.

At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

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Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
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For sale

A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
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- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico

- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000

- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950

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Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

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Favourite Emirati dish: I have so many because it has a lot of herbs and vegetables. Harees  (oats with chicken) is one of them

Favourite place to go to: Dubai Mall because it has lots of sports shops.

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During her free time: I like to drink coffee - a latte no sugar and no flavours. I do not like cold drinks

Pet peeve: That with every meal they give you a fries and Pepsi. That is so unhealthy

Advice to anyone who wants to be an ironman: Go for the goal. If you are consistent, you will get there. With the first one, it might not be what they want but they should start and just do it

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Updated: January 10, 2022, 7:38 AM`
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