The habit of kissing may soon disappear from the Egyptian public life…
A new anti-kissing association, which was recently established in Cairo, claims that its campaign has been gaining momentum. Pediatrician Adel Ashur, the founder of "No kisses after today" group, has explained in a recent interview that kissing friends on the cheek could lead to transmission of avian flu H5-N1 virus.
Dr. Ashur said: "Despite cynical reactions at the beginning, the Egyptian intellectual layer has started to take this idea seriously, understanding that this habit is unhealthy."
Despite the warning, so far there haven’t been cases where the bird flu has been transmitted from a person to person in Egypt. The virus could be in the incubation phase with the person carrying it not exhibiting any of the disease’s symptoms. Once it’s possible to get the infection through as simple a medium as a kiss, the epidemic will get out of control, Ashur explained.
On June 13th, a four-year-old girl has tested positive for bird flu, bringing to 36 the number of people in Egypt infected with the deadly virus strain since February 2006.
An exchange of kisses on the cheek can also lead to several infections ranging from tuberculosis, meningitis, herpes and hepatitis B to mild and easily-cured illnesses like bronchitis, scarlet fever, measles, German measles, common colds, boils and abscesses.
Dr. Ashur has especially warned mothers regarding to the kissing habit. According to him, a child’s immune system is not fully developed before the age of 14, making kids under this age particularly susceptible to infection and sickness, which can be transmitted through kisses. "Every Egyptian mother should be very determined in foiling attempts of others to kiss their children, even if they get angry responses," stressed the pediatrician.
I think peiple do no kiss other poeple when they are sick , we do not need a research for that. apart from this, it is unfair to ban kissing, it is as if we are banning all the human aspects in our lives. why doesn't this Doctor concentrate on finding a cure for these deadlly viruses instead of balming sweet kissing??
There are so many ways to fight bird flu. I wonder why Egypt prefers this campaign. Kissing is the only best way of sharing love with a child or a person. In the longrun Egypt will regret for this campaign since in this harsh time of the world we don't show a child there is a compassionate feeling exists in the world.
Several points I think you guys missed:
1) They are talking about kissing strangers and friends as a manner of greeting. They are not suggesting everyone stop kissing their spouses/children/etc.
2) It's a campaign, not a law. So it's compulsory, not legally mandated.
It's bizarre, but certainly not a bad idea as there are so many diseases and such that can be spread with such contact.
You are right that it isn't mandated by law and so isn't compulsory but I'm not convinced that this is about stopping strangers' kissing. 'Dr. Ashur has especially warned mothers regarding to the kissing habit. According to him, a child's immune system is not fully developed before the age of 14' suggests that the doctor doesn't belive children should be kissed at all. I have no doubt that this is an attempt to impose one group's notions of morality onto the entire population under a false banner of public safety. We saw the same thing in the West in the '80s using AIDs as the excuse.
You must be joking. If AIDS cannot be transmitted by kissing, neither can the "bird flu." People are not robots and any "campaign" to eradicate a kiss between two people is pure nonsense, open to ridicule and should not be tolerated by any educated, modern nation.
If kissing on the cheek is harmful why not move it to a safer place , more intimate , people can start kissing on the neck . as spoken of respect and concern of their oveall health!!!
This is not the most weird one yet. It was not that long ago, maybe , a month or two, that a religious leader in Alazhar issued a fatwa regarding unmarried men and women working in the confinement of an office. He said in order to avoid the bad temptations, man should drink from the breast milk of the womn. hmmm. Egyptians did denounce this and it never gained any support. But we Muslims need to root out these fanatics, who do nothing but give a black eye to Islam and Muslims. How about the one Wahhabi cleric who issued a fatwa saying that any Muslim who beleives earth is round and not flat is an INFIDEL?
HERE IN EGYPT YOU CAN MAKE PEOPLE STOP TALKING BUT YOU CANNOT MAKE THEM STOP KISSING EACH OTHER. IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP US DO THAT EVEN IF WE ARE EXPOSED TO CANCER DR.
John Breland, Cairo, Egypt, (2007-10-30 , 13:48) - Reply
This would be disheartening if it weren't so patently ridiculous. As an American living in Cairo, I find it refreshing to live outside the oppressive Nanny mentality that prevails in modern America. I rest easy knowing that most Egyptians are sensible enough to take Dr. Ashur and the "Egyptian Intellectual Layer" (whatever the heck that is) for the fools they are.
I see you are still managing to get your name in print, even in another country. Hope you see this. Would love to know how you and the family are doing.
If it was just one kiss perhaps on one cheek this is ok , In USA if a man kiss another man he is gay, perhaps a tradition of hugging like a pat on the back and handshake would be more proper? kissing is for Women.
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The habit of kissing may soon disappear from the Egyptian public life…
