The BBC reports that the Egyptian government has moved to protect one of its native industries from competition from cheap foreign imitators. So, beginning January 1, 2004, foreign women will not be allowed to perform as belly dancers.
According to the BBC,
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.
Whew, thank goodness they tackled that problem before it became a crisis. The nerve of some people to think they can just move to Egypt and start dancing. Sheesh.
Source:
Egypt bans foreign belly dancers. The BBC, August 26, 2003.