Egyptian media personality Yasmine El-Khatib launched a scathing attack on festival singer Hassan Shakoush, following his recent statements regarding the famous "bus girl" incident, as she strongly criticized his attempts to justify harassment or hold the victim responsible based on her outward appearance.

Double standards and indirect incitement

Al-Khatib expressed her strong disapproval of what she considered an "indirect incitement" to harassment, pointing out the danger of linking girls' clothing to their vulnerability to harm. In a fiery response on her official Facebook page, she confronted Shakoush about the societal double standards he relied upon, saying: "If a girl wears a lip piercing, it means she's immoral and a liar according to societal standards. So you must understand that singing in nightclubs behind dancers—according to the same societal standards—is also immoral." She added, addressing him sharply: "Your opinion doesn't matter at all... You have neither talent nor honor.".

The context of the crisis and the issue of justifying harassment

This verbal clash comes at a time when Egyptian society is witnessing a heated debate surrounding harassment and how public opinion deals with victims. The phenomenon of "victim blaming" is one of the major challenges facing human rights and feminist organizations in Egypt, where attention is often diverted from the perpetrator to the victim's appearance. Statements by public figures and celebrities like Hassan Shakoush carry particular weight due to their significant influence on young people, making their attempts to justify or promote harassment a highly sensitive social issue.

Details of Yasmine El-Khatib's four comments

Yasmine El-Khatib did not stop at a personal attack, but also refuted the legal and social position of the incident through four key points that she had previously published:

• First: She emphasized that releasing the accused on bail does not mean acquittal, and that the case is still under parliamentary investigation.
• Second: She pointed out the contradiction in the defense, as the defendant’s lawyer had previously admitted that his client had harassed the girl, which negates the charge of lying or insanity against the victim.
• Third: She strongly criticized the passivity of the male passengers on the bus, considering that their contentment with laughing and watching a girl collapse stripped them of the meanings of manhood and chivalry.
• Fourth: She responded to those who criticize girls riding public transportation, citing her personal experience of using public transportation in Alexandria to avoid crowds, stressing that this is a normal behavior that does not reflect poorly on women.

Background of the bus girl incident

The incident began with a video posted by a young woman on social media, documenting her breakdown after what she described as harassment, attempted robbery, and being followed by the accused until she boarded a public bus. The video sparked widespread controversy, prompting security forces to intervene swiftly and arrest the accused, a resident of Daqahliya Governorate.

This incident highlights the growing role of social media in Egypt as a tool for documenting violations and exposing crimes, putting individual cases under the microscope of public opinion and forcing concerned parties to act quickly, reflecting a change in the dynamics of dealing with issues of violence against women in recent years.

In a visit reflecting the depth of cultural relations and growing global interest in Saudi heritage destinations, the "Al-Ula Arts" festival activities caught the attention of Prince William, the Prince of Wales and Crown Prince of the United Kingdom, during his recent tour that included a number of historical, natural and cultural sites in Al-Ula Governorate.

A tour between art and nature

During his visit, the British Crown Prince viewed a distinguished collection of artworks by Saudi and international artists. These works ranged from contemporary installations to innovative outdoor visual experiences, all designed to draw inspiration from AlUla's unique natural landscape, topography, and rich history. The exhibition reflected the dynamism of the local art scene and its openness to global cultural exchange, highlighting art's role as a universal language.

Al-Ula: An open-air museum and a rich history

This visit comes amidst the significant transformation underway in AlUla Governorate, home to Hegra, the first Saudi site to be inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. AlUla is now an open-air museum, telling the stories of the ancient civilizations that inhabited northern Arabia thousands of years ago. Through the Royal Commission for AlUla, the Kingdom is working to develop the region into a world-class tourist and cultural destination while preserving its environmental and heritage character, a vision that aligns with Prince William’s well-known interests in environmental and heritage conservation.

A platform for creativity and innovation

Prince William was introduced to the diverse creative programs offered by the festival, which annually reshapes the region's cultural landscape. Thanks to these events, the oasis has transformed into a vibrant platform for art and innovation, attracting creators and visitors from around the world. The festival presents artistic experiences that extend from the lush oasis to the Al Jadida Arts District and several other cultural destinations in the governorate, through contemporary exhibitions, large-scale creative installations, and innovative design displays, alongside concerts, workshops, and panel discussions that highlight the convergence of heritage and modern artistic visions.

Supporting young talents

In a gesture of appreciation for national talent, Prince William met with a number of distinguished young men and women from AlUla who have excelled in various artistic and cultural fields during his visit. He listened to their personal experiences and their contributions to enriching the cultural movement in the region, praising the ongoing support for developing the creative sector and enhancing its presence both locally and internationally. The AlUla Arts Festival embodies the region's status as a leading cultural destination that celebrates human creativity and utilizes its natural beauty and cultural heritage to build strong bridges of cultural communication with the world, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to enhance quality of life and diversify the economy through cultural tourism.