On 2 January 2018, Egyptian authorities arrested female singer Laila Amer on charges of “violating public decency” and “inciting debauchery” in a video for her song “Bos Omak” in which the singer belly dances and makes “provocative gestures”.
Read More »Freemuse condemns the imprisonment of Egyptian singer and director over music video
Singer Shyma and a music video director were sentenced to two years in prison for “inciting debauchery and immorality” in her “Andy Zoroof” video.
Read More »Egypt: Singer arrested for “suggestive” video, union license withdrawn
Singer Shyma was arrested on suspicion of “incitement to debauchery” over her new video for song “Andy Zoroof”, which authorities considered too suggestive.
Read More »Egypt: Imam suspended for singing song in religious clothing
The Egyptian ministry responsible for religious endowments suspended an imam due to him singing a song on a TV talk show while wearing religious clothing.
Read More »Egypt: Seven arrested for flying LGBT flag at concert; band banned
Authorities arrested seven men accused of being gay after they raised a LGBT flag at a concert by band Mashrou' Leila, who is now banned from the country.
Read More »Egypt: Lawsuit filed against TV series for allegedly offending president
A lawyer filed a lawsuit against TV series ‘La Tofte’ El Shams’ (Don’t Let the Sun Set) for allegedly offending Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Read More »Egypt: Censorship board bans four songs from band’s album
On 2 July 2017, the Egyptian Censorship Board rejected four songs from being released on Cairokee’s new album without giving the band an official reason.
Read More »Egypt: Musician takes Music Syndicate head to court
Egyptian heavy metal musician and concert promoter Nader Sadek is suing Head of the Music Syndicate Hani Shaker for libel and defamation.
Read More »What Drove Violations
ART UNDER THREAT IN 2016: WHAT DROVE VIOLATIONS The following section of the Art under Threat in 2016 report explores the issues and tendencies that drove governments and other groups to limit artistic expression. TABLE OF CONTENTS * Click on the following titles to be taken to that part of …
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ART UNDER THREAT IN 2016: EGYPT SERIOUS VIOLATIONS: 18 ACTS OF CENSORSHIP: 19 State censorship of the arts in the name of “protecting public morals and state interests” continues to stifle artistic freedom of expression in Egypt. Restrictions on art and literary works that address politics, sex and religion, remain …
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