Last Tuesday, I enjoyed the company of many friends and hundreds of people that I don't know in an afternoon march from the Cairo Opera House to the Ministry of Culture in Zamalek. The purpose of this march was to protest against appointing Alaa Abdel-Aziz as the new Minister of Culture. Why are artists and intellectuals against a man whom hardly anyone has ever heard of? I can name some reasons – maybe because he is ‘hardly known'. What has this anonymous person done to suddenly earn such a post? What has he contributed to culture? Nothing whatsoever, unless we're going to count an article he wrote for the ruling party's publication! Countless Egyptians were disappointed to hear his name as a new Cabinet member and they warn that he will ‘Brotherhoodise' the Ministry and manipulate all its sectors. Moreover, once he was appointed, a very indecent film of him performing obscene sexual acts with a woman was made public! Needless to say, this woman wasn't aware of the shooting and of course she is not his wife. Why did he make this film and what were his intentions? The first thing that jumps to mind is BLACKMAIL. How interesting! I could never trust someone like that, but this article is not about my own opinion – it is written to reflect the opinions of many people, which I strongly support. What? I couldn't stop myself from expressing my opinion as well. So, in an act of protest against this new Minister, hundreds of artists, intellectuals and Cairo Opera House employees were joined on Monday and again on Tuesday by supporters, who marched with them from the Opera House to the headquarters of the Culture Ministry. Participants said that attempts to manipulate culture will never be tolerated. It was a long walk and of course I spoke to many people and heard what they had to say. I frankly don't remember who said what exactly, so I will not name specific persons. However, I will deliver their messages. Someone said that there is no point in assigning culture to someone who works for the Muslim Brotherhood, who are known for their anti-culture activities. Everyone else couldn't agree more, especially because of the news about replacing the current Director of the Cairo Opera House, Inas Abdel-Daiem, with a total flop. Anyway these ‘rumours' have since been denied. Announcing some new and then denying it later has become a habit that we can call a ‘test'. Some officials make statements and, when they realise that the people will not allow these changes, they deny having made these statements in the first place. Of course, if people don't object, the news will be confirmed and step by step we will find ourselves teetering on the edge of a huge cliff. You might remember a similar incident, when the Minister of Education recently said that he will cancel music lessons at schools because music encourages children to commit obscene acts. He didn't specify the acts, though. Maybe he meant filming porn movies! Another protester said that the march of Egyptian intellectuals, employees from every ministry and artists was against the Brotherhoodisation of the Ministry of Culture. Culture in Egypt is not a red line that shouldn't be crossed, but two red lines. It is the glue that keeps a community intact. He added that artists don't want the Egyptian community to be more dismantled than this. Culture is creativity's last line of defence and it maintains Egypt at the standard that it has enjoyed for centuries. Well said, and others were happy to hear this opinion. Some stated that the Cairo Opera House in particular is facing serious threats, that might affect culture in general. One of them said that employees frequently hear news that will seriously affect their destiny at the Opera House, which represents the entire Ministry's destiny, because the Opera is currently the only venue in Egypt for presenting art. All other art forms have deteriorated. Other sectors of the Ministry hardly present anything, while the Opera presents every form of art. But it is threatened as strange people, who know nothing about culture, might control it. I hate to imagine what things would have been like if Inas had been replaced by that outsider, who was bound to mess things up. Again demonstrators denounced the Muslim Brotherhood's behaviour, claiming that they are determined to control Egypt by destroying its culture and identity. One protester said that, if someone wants to destroy a state, he must destroy its educational system and media, which they have done. He added that they are currently focusing on destroying culture – they started with Al-Azhar and have now moved to the Ministry of Culture. He finally said “They will not succeed and we will not allow them to do so." I second that motion. The demonstrators chanted loudly and clearly, all demanding the immediate dismissal of this newly appointed Minister. One of the chants was “We want a minister who doesn't have a CD." Another protester made me laugh when he said: “Then they might appoint a minister with a flash memory." Nowadays, 32-giga flashes are available everywhere – imagine the number of porn films that can be saved on one. Allow me to welcome the Ministry of Culture to the age of modern technology. Now let's be serious for a minute. How will a person with such a scandal under his belt (no pun intended) run a ministry and instruct people? Will anyone respect him? Is someone like that capable of leading and inspiring others? What kind of culture could such a person promote and support? This is not the role model we need. I personally can't believe how fast we are sliding downhill to a ‘no culture at all' era. Back to the march – when the protesters finally reached the Ministry of Culture, they discovered that the Minister had escaped long before their arrival. To be honest, an hour before we reached our destination, I was told by a policeman that the porn star has escaped, but I thought we should keep going to express our disapproval, although I know most people will not be concerned anyway. Even if he is not fired, I believe that artists and intellectuals will never ever allow him to destroy the culture and identity of Egypt. Don't send me any CDs to: [email protected]
