Region | Egypt
TV series on Egypt's great nationalist stirs controversy
Thirty-eight years after his death, Jamal Abdul Nasser, an icon of Arab nationalism, continues to generate controversy in his homeland.
- By Ramadan Al Sherbini, Correspondent
- Published: 23:47 August 30, 2008
Cairo: Thirty-eight years after his death, Jamal Abdul Nasser, an icon of Arab nationalism, continues to generate controversy in his homeland.
The latest is triggered by a decision by Egyptian TV not to air a series on the life of Nasser, who ruled Egypt from 1954 to 1970. The decision came after negotiations between the TV officials and the producer of the series Nasser reached deadlock.
"I feel disappointed and even disgraced because Egyptian TV will not show Nasser on one of its two main channels, which are free for all Egyptians without subscription fees or satellite receivers," said entertainment critic Samir Fareed.
Right
"I thought that the point of difference was on what the best time would be to air this series, not on anything else," Fareed told Gulf News. "The Egyptians have the right to see Nasser on governmental television. If not, it would be better for Egypt to sell this at a public auction."
"Certainly there is room for a series on King Farouk, which we all enjoyed watching last Ramadan, but as everyone knows, Nasser is not as important a figure in modern Egyptian history as King Farouk," wrote Mohammad Salmawy, President of the Arab Writers Union, sarcastically in the opposition newspaper Al Wafd last week.
"I suppose the wise decision by state-owned TV not to air the series is based on an undeniable truth that Nasser did nothing during his time in power except change the face of life altogether not only in Egypt, but also in the entire Arab world," he continued sardonically.
Nasser is based on a screen script by renowned Egyptian writer Youssri Al Guindy and is directed by Basel Al Khatib from Syria. Young Egyptian actor Majdi Kamel portrays Nasser in the series, which will be shown in several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia.
"I did not demand Egyptian TV pay a lot to get the right to broadcast the series," said Mohammad Fawzi, the producer of Nasser.
"In fact, I had not raised the issue of money. However, Egyptian TV officials demanded the series be shown on Nile Drama, which is an encrypted satellite TV, while I insisted it be shown on one of the two terrestrial main channels so that all Egyptians can watch it," he added.
Stepping into the fray, Minister of Information Anas Al Feqqi on Thursday dismissed as ridiculous "attempts to politicise" the decision not to air Nasser.
"The producer did not offer the series to be vetted by a special committee tasked with scrutinising dramas before allowing it to go on air," Al Feqqi told the semi-official newspaper Al Jumhuria.
Anti-monarch - big impact
Nasser, one of the key plotters who toppled the monarchy in Egypt in 1952, is well-remembered in his country for his socialist policy and the 1956 nationalisation of the Suez Canal, a move which led to what is known as the Suez Crisis.
Share this article
More from Egypt
More from Region
Popular in News
News Editor's choice
-
Philippine massacre probe focuses on Arroyo ally
Arroyo vows justice for the victims and declares a national day of mourning
-
Italian PM gets 'Rockstar of the Year' title
Magazine hails Berlusconi's lifestyle
-
What drives Africa's new kind of refugees?
Warming-driven factors have led many in the continent to flee their homes
