The threat and fear of a new "swine" flu epidemic has put many on edge. Ostensibly concerned about the potential for a pandemic, the government of Egypt has ordered that the country's entire pig population be slaughtered to prevent the spread of this particular strain of the flu. However this decision has been criticized by others, including the World Health Organization (WHO) that argues that the decision to kill the pigs has no scientific basis since there is no evidence that the flu spreads from pigs to humans.
The Egyptian government's decision to have the pigs terminated however has met with severe approbation from the pig farmers, members of the country's Coptic Christian population, who have recently clashed with the police. The government's order and the consequent resistance by the farmers however fits within a complex social dynamic between the majority Muslim population and the minority Christian community. For the farmers, this is perceived as just another way in which the majority through its government has sought to further undermine them and limit their livelihood. Indeed, it is unclear whether they will receive any suitable compensation for their dire economic loss.
The resistance against the government's order is in part justified by the WHO's pronouncement. Although the agency would not likely ever take sides or part in such a local dispute directly, their statement in part legitimizes the basis of the resistance to an unnecessary government order that is injurious to a particular community's economic and social interests.
The Egyptian government's decision to have the pigs terminated however has met with severe approbation from the pig farmers, members of the country's Coptic Christian population, who have recently clashed with the police. The government's order and the consequent resistance by the farmers however fits within a complex social dynamic between the majority Muslim population and the minority Christian community. For the farmers, this is perceived as just another way in which the majority through its government has sought to further undermine them and limit their livelihood. Indeed, it is unclear whether they will receive any suitable compensation for their dire economic loss.
The resistance against the government's order is in part justified by the WHO's pronouncement. Although the agency would not likely ever take sides or part in such a local dispute directly, their statement in part legitimizes the basis of the resistance to an unnecessary government order that is injurious to a particular community's economic and social interests.
Nadim Audi, "Culling Pigs in Flu Fight, Egypt Angers Herders and Dismays U.N." New York Times, April 30, 2009.
BBC News, Clashes erupt over Egypt pig cull" May 3, 2009.
Michael Slackman, "In Egypt, Muslim-Christian divide seems wider" New York Times, August 2, 2008.
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