Egypt's new Culture Minister has called on all government officials appointed by former President Hosni Mubarak to resign, saying “you can't keep a government that swore an oath to the former president and the most important thing is to create a democratic atmosphere where people can express themselves freely.” The appointment of Mohamed Abdel Moneim el-Sawy, Egypt's new Culture Minister, was met with criticism, as a number of artists and intellectuals opposed his ascension to Egypt's top culture job. They argued his appointment was based solely on the success of his Culture Wheel project in the upscale Zamalek neighborhood. In his first speech since being sworn in, el-Sawy said in a pre-recorded speech aired at his cultural organization, he agreed to accept the position after “long and deep thought.” El-Sawy was appointed on Sunday. El-Sawy graduated from Helwan University's Fine Arts School and owns one of the largest commercial advertising agencies in the country. He started the Culture Wheel (Saqiat el-Sawy) in 2003 after transforming it from a garbage dump into a leading and profitable cultural organization. A number of young intellectuals have launched a Facebook page in opposition to el-Sawy being Culture Minister. They said they “refuse appointing el-Sawy” and are “extremely worried of him taking over the ministry in the transitional government. “It shows a lack of knowledge of what the Egyptian cultural scene needs at the moment,” the statement said. They argued that El-Sawy throughout his history was never part of the Egyptian cultural scene and his relationship with culture is summarized with him running a cultural center. “It is known that el-Sawy does not accept political or cultural opposing views. Moreover, his anti-freedom in creativity stands. And his internal censorship system for his cultural center has exceeded the state's rigidity in their censorship,” the statement continued. “He already has rejected musical shows and short films, which contradicts the cultural scene's needs to art and creativity and freedom,” it added. The statement went on to say that “el-Sawy treats culture as a commodity and not a service.” El-Sawy told Masrawy.com that “anyone who is appointed to serve Egypt cannot hesitate in accepting the post. Egypt's best interest remains the most important thing.” He was among 7 new ministers appointed on Sunday. BM
