In a democratic society, a protest serves several important purposes.
For example, it can raise awareness, pressure for changes, express dissent, build solidarity, and also inspire change. Overall, protests play a vital role in democratic societies, simply because they can amplify the voices of marginalized groups, holding authorities accountable, and driving progress towards a more just and equitable world.
And Aliaa Magda Elmahdy is already quite a controversial figure.
They Egyptian activist and a former political science student known for her bold and provocative activism, particularly in challenging social norms and advocating for freedom of expression.
And this time, she's at it again.
Aliaa made a name for herself back in 2011, when she sparked quite the uproar by posting nude photographs of herself on her blog as a form of protest against the conservative Egyptian society and the oppression of women's rights.
It caused quite a stir, to say the least, and led to both admiration and condemnation from various quarters.
Aliaa's bold move of posting nude photos of herself was a powerful form of protest against the conservative norms and the lack of freedom of expression in Egypt at that time.
She aimed to challenge societal taboos regarding women's bodies and to assert her right to self-expression.
The reaction to her actions was intense and polarized.
While some applauded her courage and viewed her as a symbol of resistance against oppression, others condemned her as immoral and disrespectful to Egyptian values.
She faced significant backlash, including threats and harassment, both online and offline.
Despite the controversy and risks involved, Elmahdy continued to advocate for human rights and freedom of expression, becoming an outspoken voice in various social and political issues in Egypt and beyond.
Her actions brought attention to the struggles faced by women and activists in conservative societies and sparked debates about the boundaries of free speech and individual rights. While her approach may have been provocative, it certainly succeeded in drawing attention to important issues.
In at least one of the protests Aliaa used the "Sharia Is Not A Constitution" phrase to emphasize the distinction between Islamic religious law (Sharia) and secular legal systems or constitutions.
It's typically employed in discussions about the role of religion in governance and the need for a clear separation between religious principles and state laws.
Using the phrase, she and other protesters assert that a constitution should be founded on principles of democracy, human rights, and equality for all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Together with two Femen activists, Aliaa staged a nude demonstration in front of the Egyptian embassy in Stockholm, and setting up a public sign against the planned Egyptian constitution by Mursi.
Besides "Sharia is not a constitution," the activists also use phrases like: "Apocalypse by Mursi" and "no Islamism yes Secularism."
In the protest, Aliaa is seen holding the Egyptian flag while the two Ukranian Femen activists banners are stating "No religion" and "Religion is slavery."
In other words, the phrase underscores the importance of having a constitution that respects the rights and freedoms of all citizens, and ensures that state laws are based on principles of justice and equality that are applicable to everyone within the society.
It's a call for the separation of religion and state to uphold the principles of secularism and protect the rights of individuals from potential religious discrimination or coercion.
Aliaa, the 1991-born woman, described herself as "secular, liberal, feminist, vegetarian, individualist Egyptian" and has identified as an atheist since turning 16
She described her nudity "screams against a society of violence, racism, sexism, sexual harassment and hypocrisy".
As a controversial figure, Aliaa often receives death threats.
