The controversy surrounding a viral video showing a man smoking during daylight hours in Ramadan has continued to spark debate on social media and beyond.
In the first legal response to the incident, the lawyer representing the man stated that the Egyptian constitution and laws do not contain any provision that criminalizes breaking the fast during Ramadan. According to him, fasting or not fasting falls within the scope of individual personal freedoms.
He explained that any assault on a person because they are not fasting could constitute a criminal offense under Egyptian law. Depending on the circumstances, the act could be legally classified as assault, physical harm, insult, or defamation, all of which carry potential penalties including fines or imprisonment.
The lawyer also stressed that Egyptian law does not recognize religious motivation as a justification for committing a crime or attacking another person. Imposing personal beliefs through force, he said, represents a clear violation of the law.
He added that if such an incident occurs in a public place and involves intimidation, it could also be legally classified as thuggery or the display of force, offenses that carry stricter legal penalties under Egyptian law.
The remarks come amid ongoing public debate surrounding the viral incident, with discussions ranging from legal interpretations to religious and social perspectives regarding personal freedoms and respect for religious practices.
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