Debate about the possible appointment of Egypt’s culture minister, 
Farouk Hosni, as head of Unesco has centred mainly on his remarks last May about burning Israeli books (for which he has since apologised). But his appointment is also controversial in Egypt, for different reasons.

In July, al-Mesryoon website published a vitriolic letter signed by 15 Egyptian academics and journalists saying that “this character with such dreadful history is not fit for such great position” [scroll down for the English translation]. He has also been the object of Islamists’ wrath – for example when he described the Arabian style of hijab as “a step backward for Egyptian women".

Despite some reservations, Roger Cohen in the New York Timessays he should be given a chance. So does Joseph Mayton 
at Bikya Masr. On the other hand, an editorial comment in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal says he should be judged on his record – which makes him “as suitable to lead Unesco as a Cairene cat would be to guard a stew”:

Human-rights activists are not the only ones reeling at the thought of one of Egypt's pre-eminent censors being named standard-bearer in Unesco's self-described goal to "build peace in the minds of men." 

One can only imagine the peace in the minds of thousands of Egyptian writers, bloggers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, lecturers, broadcasters and other culture-purveyors who have been tortured, harassed, imprisoned or banned in Egypt since Mr. Hosni took office in 1987. 

Or the 100-plus heavy-metal fans arrested there over the last decade for their supposed Satanism. Or any of the remaining 80 million Egyptians regularly denied access to any new ideas their government deems harmful.

I don’t often agree with the Wall Street Journal but I think these are fair points. For the last 22 years (reputedly as a protégé of Mrs Mubarak) his basic role has been to soften the image of a repressive regime. The regime has been lobbying hard for his appointment to Unesco – again, for reasons of image and prestige. On those grounds alone, it should be rejected.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 8 September 2009.