Egypt cancels Jewish festival

Egypt canceled a Jewish festival organised at the burial site of Rabbi Abu Hasira, due to concerns over instability since January 25 Revolution, according to Egyptian diplomat. Egypt officially informed Israel more than two months ago that it would not allow an annual Jewish festival to take place in Egypt this year, the source stated Wednesday. "It was a unanimous decision by all relevant bodies in Beheira Governorate, where Abu Hasira shrine is located,” the source said. “The Israeli Jews have showed understanding of the decision and confirmed their respect for it,” the source added. The festival has angered many Egyptian locals who believe that the rituals celebrated contradict Islam. Anger within the local community has also flared over heightened security measures enacted during the annual festival. The decision came after political groups launched a campaign to protest the annual influx of Israeli tourists. The annual festival has been celebrated by thousands of Jewish pilgrims who flock to Egypt’s Nile Delta province of Beheira since Egypt and Israel signed the Camp David Peace Accords in 1979. The source explained that those who had already visited the shrine this year were not Israelis, but came from other countries and entered Egypt with valid tourist visas. Abu Hasira was born in Morocco, the ship that was carrying him to Palestine sank, after which he floated on a straw mat that eventually landed on Syrian shores. The rabbi, according to Jewish tradition, continued from Syria to Palestine and then on to Egypt. He died in Damtu in 1880. Every year, thousands of Jews visit the Abu Hasira’s mausoleum to mark the anniversary of his death.