Culture and Art
Threats to kill Sulaf Fawakherji after the death of Huda Shaarawi spark controversy
Actress Sulaf Fawakherji faces a campaign of incitement and death threats following the death of Huda Shaarawi. Learn details of the online attack and the supportive reactions from Sameh Askar and Khaled Montaser.
Syrian actress Sulaf Fawakherji a vicious online campaign that goes beyond artistic criticism to dangerous levels of direct incitement and death threats, following the announcement of the death of veteran actress Huda Shaarawi, known for her role as "Umm Zaki." These attacks stem from Fawakherji's recent stances and opinions, which have sparked widespread controversy on social media platforms.
Details of direct incitement
In the past few hours, offensive posts have circulated online, including a picture of actress Sulaf Fawakherji accompanied by explicitly inflammatory and threatening messages wishing her death and making unjustifiable connections to the recent passing of a colleague in the entertainment industry. This shocking link prompted the actress's fans and supporters to launch a counter-campaign expressing their strong condemnation of this level of discourse and declaring their full solidarity with her against what they described as "cyber terrorism.".
Human rights and media action
In response, writer and political analyst Sameh Askar, via his official Twitter account (formerly known as "X"), called on the relevant security authorities and human rights organizations to intervene immediately. Askar demanded that the sources of these publications be traced and those responsible apprehended, emphasizing the danger of complacency regarding calls for violence and murder targeting public figures, and asserting that remaining silent about them could lead to dire consequences.
For her part, Sulaf Fawakherji responded to this support, expressing her deep gratitude to Sameh Askar and the supportive public. She described those behind these campaigns as people lacking the most basic moral standards and human decency, asserting that this type of discourse reflects a decline in values and has no connection whatsoever to awareness.
Background of the event and its impact
This campaign coincides with the grief that has enveloped the Syrian artistic community following the passing of actress Huda Shaarawi , an icon of Syrian drama, renowned throughout the Arab world for her role as "Midwife Umm Zaki" in the popular series "Bab Al-Hara." Exploiting the loss of such a prominent figure to direct threats at another artist reflects a dark side to the use of social media, where public events are manipulated to settle personal or ideological scores.
Commenting on the phenomenon, Egyptian journalist and physician Khaled Montasser revealed a noticeable and systematic escalation in incitement campaigns against Fawakhirji. Montasser described what is happening as an organized effort led by "specific gangs," or what is known as "electronic flies" (online trolls), targeting the Syrian actress based on her recent intellectual and political stances. He warned that character assassination could be a prelude to physical harm if laws deterring cybercrimes are not enforced.
This incident reopens the debate about the need for stricter legislation to regulate cyberspace and protect celebrities and individuals from organized hate campaigns, which have become a real threat to social peace and freedom of expression in the Arab world.
Culture and Art
Fifty injured by a firework in the series "Rouh OFF"... The full story
Details of the accusation by festival singer Fifty against artist Munther Rayahneh for injuring him in the face during the filming of the series "Rouh OFF", and the production company's response regarding the truth of the incident and safety standards.
Behind the scenes of the new series “Rouh OFF” witnessed a severe crisis and widespread controversy across social media platforms, after the famous festival singer “Fifty” accused the Jordanian artist Munther Rayahneh of causing him burns on his face during the filming of one of the scenes they shared.
Details of Fifty's accusation against Munther Rayahneh
The story began when Fifty posted details of the incident on his official Instagram account, noting that his relationship with the show's producer, Bilal Sabri, spans more than 10 years. This long-standing relationship encouraged him to accept the role in the series, which addresses societal issues, including the world of festivals and rap. Fifty explained that during the filming of his first scenes, which included a song featuring him with artist Munther Rayahneh and the band "El Power El Aali," director Karim Refaat insisted on using fireworks.
Fifty added in his post: “Munther was holding the flare incorrectly and almost set himself on fire. I warned him several times, fearing he might hurt us, but the result was an injury to my face.” The Mahraganat singer expressed his displeasure at being ignored by the crew after the injury, emphasizing that he hadn't received a single call to check on him.
The manufacturer's response and the truth of the matter
In response, the production company moved quickly to contain the crisis. Producer Bilal Sabri issued an official statement denying Fifty's account, asserting that actor Munther Rayahneh was not responsible for any error. The statement clarified that Rayahneh acted with courage and composure during the scene, and that the use of pyrotechnics was carried out under the supervision of a specialized safety team and in accordance with the established technical protocols for such dangerous scenes.
Sabri pointed out that Fifty left the filming location without filing an official complaint with the production management, which allowed the team to continue filming normally. He denied the rumors about ignoring his calls, and stressed that the company's doors are always open to ensure the safety of all employees.
Safety on film sets and realistic drama
This incident raises an important issue concerning safety standards on film sets, especially in productions that require the use of explosives or pyrotechnics to create realism and excitement. Safety procedures are an integral part of the global and local film and television industry, as dangerous scenes necessitate the presence of specialized experts to ensure the safety of actors and crew members, something the production company confirmed was in place for the series "Spirit OFF".
Integrating festival stars into Arab drama
The series "Rouh OFF" comes within the context of a recent artistic trend that incorporates popular and festival singers into dramatic works, aiming to attract a wider segment of the younger audience and reflect social realities. Munther Rayahneh is one of the most prominent Arab stars, enjoying immense popularity and a talent for portraying complex roles. His collaboration with a festival performer reflects the creators' desire to present an artistic blend that boldly addresses street issues. However, such incidents could cast a shadow on the production and raise questions about the challenges of this type of artistic collaboration.
Culture and Art
Mahmoud Hegazi arrested on charges of harassment and sexual assault
Security forces in Cairo arrested actor Mahmoud Hegazi on charges of sexually harassing a woman inside a hotel, amid previous accusations of sexual assault and threatening victims. Here are the details.
The Egyptian capital, Cairo, witnessed an incident that sparked widespread controversy in local and artistic circles, as security forces arrested the artist Mahmoud Hegazi on charges of harassing a foreign woman of Egyptian origin inside a well-known hotel in the Boulaq Abu El-Ela district. Security authorities acted immediately upon receiving the report to take the necessary legal measures, in line with the state's commitment to upholding the law and protecting visitors and citizens.
Details of assault and threat reports
The case didn't end with the hotel incident. Initial investigations and further criminal inquiries revealed another complaint filed by a foreign woman of Egyptian origin. This woman accused the artist Mahmoud Hegazi of sexually assaulting her after she met him on social media. In her statement, the victim indicated that the incident occurred at the beginning of January, explaining her delay in filing the official report by stating that she had received constant threats that prevented her from seeking help from the authorities earlier. This adds another criminal dimension to the case, related to intimidation and threats.
A record of family and legal disputes
This incident adds to a series of crises that have plagued Hegazi recently, including heated disputes with his wife that have escalated to court appearances and police involvement. Previously, he was released on bail of 10,000 Egyptian pounds pending investigation into charges of assaulting his wife. This followed the prosecution's hearing of his wife's testimony, in which she filed an official report accusing him of physical assault, verbal abuse, and defamation, causing her various injuries and bruises. This suggests a pattern of violent behavior, which the relevant authorities are currently investigating to piece together the details of the case.
Legal and social context
This case is particularly significant given the strict legal measures imposed by Egyptian authorities to combat harassment and sexual assault. Egyptian lawmakers have increased penalties in recent years to deter such practices, especially in public and tourist areas, in order to protect Egypt's tourism image and public safety. The swift response of security forces to the woman's report at the Bulaq Abu El-Ela Hotel demonstrates their vigilance and firm stance against any violation of the law.
Impact of the incident on public opinion
Cases involving artists or public figures typically garner significant public and social media attention. This incident has reignited the debate surrounding the ethical responsibility of celebrities and the need to distinguish between artistic talent and personal conduct. The artistic and legal communities are closely monitoring the ongoing investigations, and further details about the circumstances of the two incidents are expected in the coming days, along with the Public Prosecutor's final decisions regarding whether to refer the accused to trial.
Culture and Art
Video of Elissa's stumble in Abu Dhabi and details of her 2026 US tour
Watch the details of Elissa's stumble on the Abu Dhabi stage and how she recovered. Find out about the concert's setlist, the dates of her upcoming US and Canadian tour, and the postponement of her album.
Arab fans experienced moments of anxiety during Lebanese artist Elissa's concert in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, as the "Queen of Feelings" nearly suffered a severe fall on stage, an incident that quickly became a trending topic on social media platforms.
Details of Elissa's stumble and how the situation was rectified
While performing one of her popular romantic songs, Elissa suddenly tripped, momentarily losing her balance. However, the Lebanese artist's extensive stage experience allowed her to quickly regain her composure, avoiding a full-blown fall in front of the audience. She then confidently continued her performance with a smile, amidst enthusiastic applause from the audience who praised her skillful handling of the situation.
A night of musical entertainment and artistic surprises in Abu Dhabi
This brief incident did not detract from the enchanting atmosphere of the concert, as Elissa presented a diverse selection of her most beautiful songs, blending the old with the new. The audience enthusiastically responded to hits such as "Aishalak," "Ta'ebt Mennak," and "Faker," in addition to "Habeit Ayami." A highlight of the evening was the participation of the multi-talented star Marwan Khoury, with whom she performed a duet of "Kermalak," a performance reminiscent of the successful collaborations between this iconic duo in the Lebanese music scene.
A huge concert tour in America and Canada
This concert comes as part of an intense artistic schedule for Elissa, who is preparing to pack her bags and head to North America for a series of major concerts this February. This tour holds particular significance for Arab communities abroad, with the dates scheduled as follows:
- February 6: The tour kicks off from Canada.
- February 7: A huge party in Brooklyn, New York City, USA.
- February 13: Moving to San Diego.
- February 14: A special Valentine's Day party in Detroit.
- February 28: The tour concludes in the Canadian city of Funen.
New album postponed: Art in the shadow of crises
On the artistic front, the repercussions of the political and security situation in Lebanon continue to cast a shadow over Elissa's artistic plans. Despite the completion of recording and distribution for her new album, the artist has decided to postpone its official release. This decision reflects Elissa's sense of national responsibility, as she previously stated her desire to avoid repeating the experience of her previous album, "Sahbet Ra'y" (A Woman of Opinion), which was released during a difficult period. She emphasized that art is a message whose release timing must be carefully considered out of respect for the feelings of the public and the general circumstances facing her homeland, Lebanon.
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