It was one of those things that just wasn't going to go unnoticed. When Zahi Hawass gave American pop-star Beyonce Knowles a tour of the Pyramids during her stop in Egypt where she was performing, it sparked an international “outcry” by Beyonce fans. They felt it was a bonehead move by Egypt's top archaeologist. Comments came pouring in and for Hawass, he didn't say much, letting the story take its course. Bikya Masr, which first reported the story in English, republishes the story here as the 2009 “stupid move” of the year: CAIRO: In a shocking display of poor diplomacy, Egypt’s chief Egyptologist Zahi Hawass allegedly called American pop-star Beyonce a “stupid person†during her brief tour of the Giza pyramids earlier this week. Writing in al-Shorouk newspaper, Summer al-Gamal said that Hawass became fed up with the pop star’s attitude after she did not show the interest Hawass felt was deserved of the pyramids. According to Gamal, during Hawass’ self-guided tour, he said “I showed her the Sphinx and I gave her a book on King Tutankhamen,†but then his anger and frustration made its way to the forefront. “Then he stopped being diplomatic and said in anger, ’she’s a stupid person and she doesn’t understand a thing and she doesn’t want to understand’,†wrote Gamal. Hawass is known for his outbursts. A number of foreigners have told Bikya Masr that he has employed Arabic to insult others at dinner events and gatherings, believing the non-Egyptians will not understand his Arabic. Beyonce, obviously, did not understand his jabs, Gamal said. “She’s coming here to take pictures and that’s it,†Gamal quoted Hawass as saying. He then assigned one of his assistants to take the American star and her entourage to a designed location nearby to shoot the photos. Similar to any high profile guest, pictures by the pyramids have become almost routine. When American President Barack Obama was in Cairo last June, Hawass personally escorted the president around the monstrous pyramids, allowing Obama to have his photo taken on the plateau. Gamal added that Beyonce did not win over the journalists following her, however, as at least one bodyguard threatened a cameraman with violence if he did not give the pop-star her space. “One of the bodyguards threatened the cameraman, saying he would smash the camera if he continued to film,†Gamal wrote. The incident has left archaeologists angered. They say it is time to show the world the real Hawass. “He insults and is so controlling that it has become extremely difficult to work in this country,†one archaeologist said. Hawass’ office did not return phone calls on Thursday morning to discuss the actions of the country’s Supreme Council of Antiquities chief’s comments in front of journalists and Beyonce. “We are talking about an Egyptian government official and he goes as says something like this? Come on, this is very rude and totally undiplomatic,†said another archaeologist, both of whom asked not to be named as their current work is funded by the council headed by Hawass. **The original story was published November 12, 2009. BM
