Egypt’s artists denounce all forms of sexual harassment

CAIRO – 12 July 2020: Many Egyptian girls and women filed official complaints against the same man, Ahmed Bassam Zaki, whose case has become a public opinion case within days, especially after an Instagram page was set up to expose him, identifying93 credible accusers, some as young as 13.

Zaki is accused of raping two girls, indecently assaulting another girl by force – one of them was under 18 years old –, threatening and blackmailing other women into sexual intercourse.

He is also accused of inciting immorality, stalking, violating societal values by violating his victims’ privacy through constant texting without their consent using his social media accounts.

The court has ordered that he shall be remanded in custody for further fifteen days.

In the aftermath of this shameful case, Egyptian celebrities were keen to denounce sexual harassment, carrying one slogan "NO MEANS NO."

"A broader view on the painful sexual assault case that is preoccupying the public opinion, I can guarantee that all Arab women - with the exception of few lucky ones- have experienced some sort of harassment and were too afraid to expose their predators because of the unfair social response.

I am very proud of this new generation of young girls who speak up. Harassment and rape are shameful for those who commit it, not the victim. I am grateful for every woman who was not silenced and stood up for her dignity and that of every other woman. And grateful for the men who are standing wholeheartedly by the victims," super star Hend Sabry wrote on her official Instagram account.

"There is so much anger inside of me, feeling unsafe, feeling harassed. Please speak up speak up speak up.I want to feel safe in my own skin. I want to feel safe," Egyptian actress and model Salma Abu-Deifwrote on her official Instagram account.

Egyptian star Asser Yassin asked his colleagues in the artistic field, including authors, directors and actors, to participate in facing the phenomenon of sexual harassment through their artistic work.

"My artist friends should shoulder responsibility, whether they are directors, producers, or actors, because some artistic works present harassment as a normal thing. We must pay more attention because we are role models to youth," Yassin added.

Famed Jordanian actor Eyad Nassar demanded that harassers should be treated at a mental asylum and not sent to prison. 

He added on his Facebook account, "I suggest that harassment comes out of the felony area and is treated as a serious mental illness, so harassers must be placed at a mental hospital and undergo extensive psychological treatment."

Egyptian star Rania Youssef wrote on her official Instagram account, "Yes, I was harassed, a crime that has been committed against every woman for many years, as if a ghost is chasing us everywhere."

Youssef added that harassment must be seriously combated, because harassers know that harassment has no deterrent.

Famed Egyptian megastar Mohamed Mounir was also keen to denounce sexual harassment.

Mounir wrote on his Twitter account, "Neither the culture of Egypt nor its men identify with sexual harassment, and throughout our history the Egyptian man has been a parable in defending and honoringthe dignity of women. I apologize on behalf of all the honorable men of Egypt for all the daughters of Egypt."