CAIRO: The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) said it will take the case of Azhar student Sally Abdallah who had undergone a sex reassignment surgery, to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights with the Egyptian government as its adversary.
The Administrative Court has ruled in Abdullah’s favor, ordering Al-Azhar University to enroll her in the women’s school of medicine, instead of the men’s school in which she was registered before the surgery. Al-Azhar has refused to comply with the court order.
Hossam Bahgat, EIPR director, told Daily News Egypt that Abdallah faces gender discrimination. He expected the Court’s human rights committee to review the case during its next meeting in February 2011.
Abdallah underwent the surgery in 1988 and got an ID in the same year confirming that she is a female, but was transferred to a disciplinary board by Al-Azhar University in 1989.
Al-Azhar expelled Sally — enrolled as Sayed at the time — from the men’s school of medicine after the surgery. The school recommended enrolling the student in the women’s school, which in turn refused to accept Sally, saying Islamic jurisdiction prohibits sex change.
"I thought that my problem will be over after getting the court order. Al-Azhar University’s administration insists on punishing me for my entire life for changing my sex," Abdallah told Daily News Egypt.
"I will go to all international organizations because I’m intent on completing my studies in medical school, and I will specialize in surgery to help those who want to undergo sex change surgeries."
