Op-ed: Will Artists & Christians Leave Egypt?
AL ARABIYA NEWS
By Farrag Ismail
EGYPT - Instead of celebrating the first successful round of parliamentary elections, Egyptian intellectuals began sounding alarms after the remarkable victory of Islamist parties. Two of the alarms now gaining ground are the most dangerous: the immigration of artists to Lebanon and Dubai and the immigration of Copts [Coptic-Christians], especially businessmen. The first alarm was voiced in statements issued by several artists, some of whom decided to resist, such as director Khaled Youssef, and some made up their minds to leave Egypt and turn off the lights on the “Hollywood of the East.” The wisest comment on the results of the elections came from Coptic actor Hani Ramzy, who confidently stressed that art and creativity would not be affected. The Islamist trend, represented by the Muslim Brotherhood’s political wing the Freedom and Justice Party and the hardline al-Nour Party, immediately issued comforting statements. [link]
By Farrag Ismail
EGYPT - Instead of celebrating the first successful round of parliamentary elections, Egyptian intellectuals began sounding alarms after the remarkable victory of Islamist parties. Two of the alarms now gaining ground are the most dangerous: the immigration of artists to Lebanon and Dubai and the immigration of Copts [Coptic-Christians], especially businessmen. The first alarm was voiced in statements issued by several artists, some of whom decided to resist, such as director Khaled Youssef, and some made up their minds to leave Egypt and turn off the lights on the “Hollywood of the East.” The wisest comment on the results of the elections came from Coptic actor Hani Ramzy, who confidently stressed that art and creativity would not be affected. The Islamist trend, represented by the Muslim Brotherhood’s political wing the Freedom and Justice Party and the hardline al-Nour Party, immediately issued comforting statements. [link]
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