Egypt’s culture ‘under attack’ from government, claim artists

Manchester Guardian ^ | Wednesday 5 June 2013 10.21 EDT | Louisa Loveluck

[Olog-hai]

As the curtain rose for the evening performance at Cairo Opera House, the cast did not assemble for the opening prelude of Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida as they had on previous nights. Instead, more than 300 actors, dancers and theater staff filled the stage, wearing full costume and clutching protest signs. Addressing the audience, conductor Nayer Nagi announced: “In a stand against a detailed plan to destroy culture and fine arts in Egypt, we abstain from performing tonight’s opera.”

Following a spate of sackings within Egypt’s culture ministry, a new political battleground has emerged in the country’s opera houses and theaters. The performers add their voices to a growing chorus of accusations from other institutions who believe the country’s ruling Islamist Freedom and Justice party is attempting to cement control over the direction of their work.

Since his appointment four weeks ago, the culture minister, Alaa Abdel-Aziz, has dismissed three leading members of Egypt’s cultural scene: the head of the Cairo Opera House, Enas Abdel-Dayem; the head of the Egyptian General Book Authority, Ahmed Mujahid and Salah El-Meligy, the head of the Fine Arts Sector. …

[Jonty30]

Under Islam there is no such thing as culture.

[Olog-hai]

Very true.

Allah did not create man so that he could have fun. The aim of creation was for mankind to be put to the test through hardship and prayer. An Islamic regime must be serious in every field. There are no jokes in Islam. There is no humor in Islam. There is no fun in Islam. There can be no fun and joy in whatever is serious. Islam does not allow swimming in the sea and is opposed to radio and television serials. Islam, however, allows marksmanship, horseback riding and competition …

— Jimmy Carter’s “holy man” Ruhollah Khomeini

[research99]

After the initial takeover of Egypt by Muslims in 642AD, the Library of Alexandria was destroyed by Amr, by the order of the Caliph Omar. Amr wrote to Omar for instructions, and Omar replied: “If those books are in agreement with the Quran, we have no need of them; and if these are opposed to the Quran, destroy them.”

[vpintheak]

More than likely true. Islam is pain, suffering, envy, racism, slavery, anger, ignorance, and just plain miserable and evil.

[dfwgator]

[wideminded]

I used to believe that story, but apparently there is no evidence that it was written down until 5 or 6 hundred years after the supposed event. Also, there is evidence that the library could have been burnt on multiple other occasions.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Olog-hai.

As the curtain rose for the evening performance at Cairo Opera House, the cast did not assemble for the opening prelude of Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida as they had on previous nights. Instead, more than 300 actors, dancers and theater staff filled the stage, wearing full costume and clutching protest signs. Addressing the audience, conductor Nayer Nagi announced: "In a stand against a detailed plan to destroy culture and fine arts in Egypt, we abstain from performing tonight’s opera." ...Since his appointment four weeks ago, the culture minister, Alaa Abdel-Aziz, has dismissed three leading members of Egypt’s cultural scene: the head of the Cairo Opera House, Enas Abdel-Dayem; the head of the Egyptian General Book Authority, Ahmed Mujahid and Salah El-Meligy, the head of the Fine Arts Sector.