Manama: Algerians are pushing for the replacement of a Syrian star in a television series based on a book written by an Algerian novelist about the liberation war in the North African country.
The Algerians said that Syrian actor Jamal Sulaiman had flagrantly sided with the Egyptians during the bitter standoff between the two countries last November and that he repeatedly insulted the North Africans.
"He never missed an occasion to criticize the Algerians and to demand that they apologise to the Egyptians for their alleged attacks on their fans during the do-or-die march in Sudan," said Algerian bloggers and Facebook users.
"For his repeated assaults on Algerians and on their collective conscience, he is not qualified to play the role of Khalid, a hero in the struggle for Algeria's independence in the Memory of the Body, the book written by Ahlam Mostaghanmi," they said.
However, the series producer has not reacted to the calls to drop one of the hottest actors in the Arab world, while the book writer said that she did not wish to interfere in the choice of the cast.
Algerian Star Academy singer Amal Boushousha is expected to play a role in the series that will mark her debut in acting.
The production of the series will start in March and will span across Algeria, Syria, Palestine, Tunisia, Spain and France. The book won the Najib Mahfoudh Award in 1997.
Algeria and Egypt have been locked in one of the most dramatic standoffs over a soccer match to qualify for the World Cup finals in South Africa in June 2010. Political and religious leaders from both countries stoked the fire amid attempts by the Arab League and Arab presidents to contain the repercussions.
Cairo recalled its ambassador from Algiers and has been asking for a public apology and financial compensation for allegedly damaged Egyptian interests in Algeria.
Diplomatic relations remain tense despite assurances given publicly by the two countries that they were past the conditions and effects of the match.
Several Egyptian artists have publicly condemned the Algerians and announced that they would boycott all festivals and concerts organised by Algiers, a decision that was deeply scorned by the Algerians who challenged the merit of modern Egyptian arts.
Several observers said that the dispute was much more significant than a soccer match, even if it meant qualification for the World Cup finals, and sought explanations beyond sports spheres.
In December, an Algerian website emulated the US and developed a set of cards carrying pictures and names of Egyptians it thinks should be blacklisted.
In 2003, the US issued a set of playing cards to help troops identify the most-wanted members of the Saddam Hussain regime in Iraq.
The site's list included broadcasters, singers and actors who should be boycotted by Algerians for allegedly making derogatory remarks about them and insulting their country.
Actress Yusra, actors Hussain Fahmi and Mohammad Al Badr, singer Hakim, Lebanese star Haifa Wehbe, former soccer players Ebrahim Hassan and Ahmad Shoubair are among the 22 public figures that the Algerian website wants blacklisted in the North African country.
"We developed the playing cards because we wanted to expose and boycott all those who have sought to denigrate the memory of our martyrs and who have been attacking Algeria for more than three months now because of a football match," site developers said.
"The initiative indicates that we do not accept that anyone undermines or targets our values and that we are always faithful to the sacrifices of those who have built our nation. We want all Algerians to know who dared insult Algeria and everything it represents," they said.
