Egyptian singer jailed for 'vulgar' video
Shyma faces charges of inciting debauchery and corrupting public morals
Shyma. YouTube
An Egyptian singer was detained for four days pending further questioning for her performance in a video music deemed racy in the conservative country, according to Gulf News Egypt.
Shaima Ahmad, whose artistic name is Shyma, was taken into custody on November 18 in her house in the Cairo quarter of al Nuzah in response to several legal complaints lodged with the country’s top prosecutor against her video titled, "I have Problems".
She faces charges of inciting debauchery and corrupting public morals in the video that was released online last week.
The video has triggered a massive outcry in the country with critics saying it is full of sexual innuendos and is morally depraving.
Shyma blamed the director of the video, Mohammad Jamal, for her controversial performance, sources said.
“I was a tool in the hands of the director, who guided my movements and requested me to do some displays,” she was quoted as telling investigators.
Prosecutors later ordered the arrest of the director.
In the video, the 21-year-entertainer plays a teacher at a school for young men.
Egyptian MP backs burqa ban, terms garment 'un-Islamic'
She is seen in the video shedding parts of her clothes and using fruits to seduce the men.
“The content of the video clip is harmful to the Egyptian society,” Jalal Awara, a member of the parliament, said. “There must be a firm stance against promoters of this substandard art,” he added in media remarks.
If convicted, Shyma may face up to three years in prison.
Egypt’s musicians union has banned her from performing at concerts in reaction to the video.
Shaima Ahmad, whose artistic name is Shyma, was taken into custody on November 18 in her house in the Cairo quarter of al Nuzah in response to several legal complaints lodged with the country’s top prosecutor against her video titled, "I have Problems".
She faces charges of inciting debauchery and corrupting public morals in the video that was released online last week.
The video has triggered a massive outcry in the country with critics saying it is full of sexual innuendos and is morally depraving.
Shyma blamed the director of the video, Mohammad Jamal, for her controversial performance, sources said.
“I was a tool in the hands of the director, who guided my movements and requested me to do some displays,” she was quoted as telling investigators.
Prosecutors later ordered the arrest of the director.
In the video, the 21-year-entertainer plays a teacher at a school for young men.
Egyptian MP backs burqa ban, terms garment 'un-Islamic'
She is seen in the video shedding parts of her clothes and using fruits to seduce the men.
“The content of the video clip is harmful to the Egyptian society,” Jalal Awara, a member of the parliament, said. “There must be a firm stance against promoters of this substandard art,” he added in media remarks.
If convicted, Shyma may face up to three years in prison.
Egypt’s musicians union has banned her from performing at concerts in reaction to the video.