Celebrating Eid al-Fitr by fire crackers could lead you to prison

CAIRO - 9 April 2024: As Muslim's Eid al-Fitr (translated as the feast of breaking the fast) starts Wednesday, many of children in Egypt are preparing, as in every Eid, to buy firecrackers.

Firecrackers have been a way for children to express their joy, despite being annoying and noisy to many people walking in the streets or even sleeping in their flats that overlook the streets.

However, many parents do not even know that firecrackers are illegal.

Egypt's Court of Cassation said in 2018 that fireworks include some materials used in manufacturing explosives, which makes it illegal to import these fireworks without a license.

The court referred to Article 102 (a) of the Penal Code which stipulates that anyone who possesses, manufactures or imports explosives before he obtains a license shall be punished by life imprisonment or aggravated imprisonment.

The penalty will be death sentence if the person's purpose is to carry out a terrorist act.

Any of the substance included in the composition of explosives, according to the list attached to the interior minister's decision number 2225 for 2007, shall be treated as explosives.

The decree No. 1872 of the Minister of Interior identified the materials that are considered as explosives, including gunpowder.