Egypt bans foreign belly dancers

BBC NEWS: "Foreign women will be banned from performing belly dancing in Egypt, the state newspaper al-Gomhouriya reports.

The ruling by the minister for labour and immigration will prevent non-Egyptians from getting belly dancing licences from 1 January, says the newspaper.

Egyptian belly dancers are thought to have pushed for the ruling to prevent foreign dancers from taking their work.

There has been a recent influx into the country of foreign performers - particularly from Russia - who have taken up the oriental dance.

A top belly dancer commands around $3,145 a night - a price the foreign dancers have been happy to undercut.

As even a modest Egyptian wedding is not regarded as complete without a belly dancing act the ancient ritual is big business.

Schools have been established in Cairo to train foreigners, as well as locals in the art."

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