Latest news with #EgyptianActorsSyndicate
Arab Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Arab Times
Samiha Ayoub, an icon of Egyptian art, dies at 93
CAIRO, June 3: The Egyptian Actors Syndicate announced on Tuesday the passing of acclaimed actress Samiha Ayoub at the age of 93, marking the end of a towering legacy in Arab theater and Egyptian performing arts. In a statement mourning the loss, the syndicate described Ayyoub — widely known as the "Lady of Arab Theater"—as "an icon of Egyptian art," emphasizing that her contributions remain a milestone in the history of theatrical and television performance. Head of the Actors Syndicate, Ashraf Zaki, along with the board of directors, extended heartfelt condolences to her family and fans across Egypt and the Arab world. Egyptian Minister of Culture Ahmed Heno also expressed sorrow over her death, stating that "artist Samiha Ayoub passed away after a rich artistic career that spanned decades, during which she influenced cultural and artistic life in Egypt and the Arab world with timeless works." Heno described the late artist as "a model of a loyal and creative national artist who devoted her life to art and gifted her audience with an exceptional journey of creativity and uniqueness." He added that her works "will remain beacons illuminating the path of future generations, and her memory will live on in the hearts of her admirers." He stressed that her death represents "a huge loss to Egyptian and Arab art," citing her significant artistic and humanitarian value and a distinguished career that left behind an enduring legacy. Born in the Shubra district of Cairo, Samiha Ayoub graduated from the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts in 1953, where she studied under renowned theater director Zaki Tulaimat. Ayoub's prolific artistic career spanned nearly 170 theatrical productions, along with a wide array of acclaimed film and television roles. Her most notable films include Land of Hypocrisy, Between the Ruins, Dawn of Islam, With Happiness, and Teta Raheeba. She also starred in influential television series such as Stray Light, Awane El Ward, and Al Masrawiya. Throughout her career, Ayoub received numerous honors, including presidential decorations from Egypt, Syria, and France, recognizing her exceptional contributions to the arts.
Gulf News
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf News
Egyptian star Mohammed Ramadan creates uproar over ‘belly-dance costume'
Cairo: Well-known Egyptian performer Mohammed Ramadan has raised eyebrows in his home country after he appeared wearing an outfit likened to a belly-dance costume at a US music festival. Detractors deemed the garb unmanly and a misrepresentation of Egypt abroad. In online images, Ramadan, a widely popular actor and singer, appeared on the stage of the US Coachella music festival in the attire, bringing him under scathing criticism and triggering calls for disciplinary action against him at home. Ramadan is the first Egyptian to perform at the world-famous festival. Egyptian lawmaker Mai Osama called for striking off Ramadan's membership at the actors' union, accusing him of offending Egyptian society. In another sign of backlash, Egyptian lawyer Ayman Mahfouz filed a warning to the actors' union, demanding the association to revoke the membership of Ramadan whose US outlook the lawyer called 'feminine and offensive to the Egyptian art'. Mahfouz was quoted in the local media as accusing Ramdan of 'promoting ideas alien to the Egyptian values and traditions'. While not explicitly naming Ramadan in a critical X post, Alaa, the son of late Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, jumped into the fray. 'In fact, one can't understand and assimilate what kind of fashion or freedom that prompts male artists to wear an earring and clothes similar to those of women!' Alaa wrote. 'It's supposed that an artist and a star are public figures. Their personal freedom is limited to their houses where they can wear whatever they like. But outside his house, the artist is supposed to set an example in his behaviour, appearance and art,' he added. Ramadan, who is still in the US, has reportedly defended his contested attire. He said in an alleged Facebook post that the outfit was the product of Egyptian designer Farida Temraz. 'The vest is inspired by the statues of the pharaohs. She designed it with Egyptian silver currency and added a black pharaonic cape,' he added in the purported post that media reports said he later deleted. Head of the Egyptian Actors Syndicate Ashraf Zaki tersely said the issue is outside the union's jurisdiction. Ramadan has risen to prominence in recent years with a string of blockbuster action films and TV soaps. He has also launched a career as a rap-like singer, making a big name with several hits. The 36-year-old entertainer is no stranger to controversy, though. Last year, Ramadan infuriated the family of late Egyptian president Anwar Al Sadat allegedly for ridiculing him in a video song. In a YouTube song titled 'Taurus', Ramadan appeared in a clip holding Sadat's trademark pipe and imitating his way of talking in a fashion that the late leader's family deemed degrading. Al Sadat ruled Egypt from 1970 until 1981 when he was assassinated by Islamist militants. He launched Egypt's 1973 war against Israel. He was the first Egyptian leader to visit Israel in 1977 and sign a peace treaty with it two years later. In 2020, an Egyptian court sentenced Ramadan to one year in prison on charges of slandering a pilot, who lost his job after the celebrity had posted a video showing him inside a jet cockpit.
