Egyptian university bans 'ripped jeans,' sparking social media outrage

Last week, Egypt's Alexandria University sparked controversy after its officials issued a ban on what they described as "inappropriate attire" - mainly ripped jeans.  

The ban was issued on September 27 by the university's Dean of the Agriculture Faculty, Tarek Serour. It effectively bars students from wearing tight clothes, ripped jeans, and 'galabiyas' (loose, floor-length garments). 

Speaking to local news site Al Masry Al Youm, Serour explained the decision came after he spotted a few female students wearing ripped jeans on campus. 

"This type of attire is inappropriate and goes against our values, traditions and religion," he said. 

"I immediately ordered our head security officer to meet with the girls and inform them that their attire isn't allowed on campus. I also issued directives allowing security guards to ban any student wearing such clothes from entering campus," he explained.  

Not only that, but in a shocking statement, the dean added that this type of attire is the reason why female students are often harassed.

"Are they (female students) coming here to study or to arouse male students? I am doing this to protect them, they're all like my own children," he added. 

As news of the ban continues to make the rounds online, hundreds of social media users are hitting back, calling it 'regressive.'

The debate also made it to local television programs, including Dream TV's '10 PM.' 

"Don't call me regressive or against personal freedom but every single time I see a guy or girl wearing ripped jeans I am left feeling shocked and uncomfortable."  

"There are tons of problems in Egypt's universities and you're only taking action against ripped jeans and a man who embraced his fiancée?" 

"Women wore short skirts and tight clothes across the 70's and we never heard of a single case of harassment. These days, even hijabis face harassment. This has nothing to do with what a woman is wearing, it's all about how well a man is raised." 

"I am completely against banning any type of attire in universities, whether it's a the niqab or ripped jeans. As long as the person wearing them isn't doing anything disrespectful to anyone, it's really none of our business." 

Last week, Egypt's Tanta University sparked controversy across the country after its officials took action against a young couple who got engaged on campus. 

This came after a video of the couple's on-campus engagement went viral on social media. The footage sparked outrage because the students were seen embracing in it. 

In a statement he made on live television at the time, the university's spokesperson Dr. Ibrahim Abdel Wahab Salem said: 

"After we heard of the incident on social media, we gained access to campus CCTV footage and identified most students who were involved in the surprise proposal. 7 students are now under investigation and the couple has also been called in. The university will take action against all those involved because they weren't granted an official authorization to host such an event. They also went against the university's rules and regulations."

While many social media users thought the couple's actions were inappropriate and unacceptable, others were absolutely outraged at the fact that the young students are now being investigated.