Egypt's ban on booze during the holy month of Ramadan is set to stay in place after a top court sensationally postponed a legal challenge against the country's “dry nights.”
The State Council on Sunday pushed the hearing for a lawsuit seeking to overturn the ban on alcohol sales and the closure of bars and nightclubs until June 27. The move effectively kills off any hope for the tourism and entertainment sectors to see a lift on restrictions for the remainder of this holy month.
Under current rules, a 2012 ministerial decree ensures that taps stay dry and shutters remain down across the country on religious holidays.
The lawsuit, case number 41877 of judicial year 79, pulls no punches. It argues that these administrative decisions are an “unconstitutional imposition of religious values” on a civil state, claiming they have crippled the tourism economy and trampled on the rights of workers.
Lawyers claim the restrictions aren't even based on solid law. Instead, they allege the bans are “individual administrative decisions” born from a conservative shift dating back to the 1970s.
Until July 2012, the ban on serving alcohol to Egyptians was largely restricted to Ramadan. However, then-Tourism Minister Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour made the shock decision to expand the ban to cover all Muslim holidays.
'Routine delay' or moral stand?
Hany Sameh, the firebrand attorney behind the case, brushed off the setback as a “routine administrative delay” caused by the court’s bulging caseload.
“The delay does not reflect a lack of will by the court to rule, but rather provides the administrative authorities an opportunity to submit their substantive response,” Sameh insisted.
While the case has been languishing in the courts since last Ramadan, Sameh is adamant that this is about more than just a drink—it's about the bottom line. He pointed to tourism rivals like Turkey, Malaysia, and the UAE, noting they don't force dry nights on their visitors.
“This is about protecting the national economy and the competitiveness of Egyptian tourism,” he argued, claiming the seasonal closures disrupt spending and put jobs at risk in the hotel and entertainment sectors.
'Public taste and virtuous morals'
However, the legal establishment is fighting back. The State Commissioners Authority has already recommended the lawsuit be thrown out entirely.
In a report reviewed by Al Manassa, the authority pulled no punches, stating: “The decision to ban alcohol sales during religious seasons is consistent with authentic Egyptian customs and traditions, which are keen on respecting religious sanctities and criminalizing everything that contradicts public taste and virtuous morals.”
The report admitted that while personal freedom is guaranteed by the constitution, it is “not absolute” and must be restricted to prevent “offending religious feelings.”
Lawyer Sameh hit back at the recommendation, calling it “consultative and not binding.” He claims the current dry nights are enforced through “arbitrary decisions” and “administrative threats to withdraw licenses.”
The lawyer warned that these restrictions are even creeping into tourist hotspots like Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada, leaving investors terrified for their business's future.
For now, however, the taps remain firmly off.
