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Sisi denies taunting overweight Egyptians
CAIRO, Dec 27, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on
Wednesday denied taunting overweight Egyptians after drawing criticism over
comments he made about the country’s bulging waistlines.
While inaugurating new health projects on December 15, Sisi called on
Egyptians to lose weight and exercise more in a televised speech that quickly
went viral on the internet.
“What are these people? Why are they not taking care of themselves?” he
said.
He also suggested TV media should not host overweight presenters or guests.
On Wednesday, Sisi responded to critics saying his remarks were out of
concern for the health of Egyptians and their future generations.
“How can I shame my family? Egyptians are my family,” Sisi said.
He then asked detractors to “take it easy with the jokes”.
A month earlier, Sisi made similar remarks criticising overweight students
saying their bodies should be “well-sculpted”.
His remarks sparked a stream of online criticism, with many accusing him of
fat-shaming.
Others noted that subsidised high-caloric food makes up a large portion of
the diet of Egypt’s poor majority, who are unable to afford healthier
options.
Some 63 percent of adult Egyptians are overweight, according to the World
Health Organization. It is one of the highest rates in the world.
Former army chief Sisi was elected in 2014 nearly a year after leading the
military’s overthrow of his predecessor Mohamed Morsi following mass protests
against the Islamist’s year-long rule.
In recent years, criticism of Sisi has largely remained confined to social
media as virtually all other avenues of dissent have been shut down.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1502 hrs