Muslim Brotherhood Poses No Threat to Arts: Omar Sharif
Faris Jawad
By Hamdy AL Husseini, IOL Correspondent
CAIRO, December 4, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) - World renowned Egyptian movie
star Omar Sharif shrugged off concerns that the Muslim Brotherhood, which is
making big gains in the current legislative elections, would pose a threat
to arts.
"This is a much ado about nothing. They (Muslim Brothers) are not against
arts," Sharif told IslamOnline.net on the sidelines of the Cairo
International Film Festival, currently in session.
"I have known some of them for years. I remember that back in the 1950's the
group's leaders used to following up works of art and movies."
Concerns have been high among some Egyptian artists and writers over the
Muslim Brotherhood's strong showing in the two first rounds of the Egyptian
parliamentary elections, securing 76 seats -- five times its tally in the
outgoing parliament.
"The Muslim Brotherhood will pose no threat to the Egyptian arts," Sharif
maintained.
He blamed the current fuss on people trying to serve the political interests
of certain parties.
"Confident"
Egyptian film actor Abdul Aziz Makhyoun echoed a similar position.
"I totally disagree with arguments that the Muslim Brotherhood threatens
Egyptian arts," Makhyoun, a founding member of the opposition Kefaya group,
told IOL.
"On the contrary, I feel optimistic that the group will have a better chance
in parliament to fight all works that torpedo the values and pillars of
Egyptian society under the wrap of art," said the famous actor.
He sounded confident that the group would not stand against the works that
carry a constructive message serving the interests of society.
Makhyoun mocked at claims that the Muslim Brotherhood would work to impose
restrictions on the artistic and cinematic works.
"Why have not we heard the same people propagating such claims defending
society against purposeless and lust-provoking works," he wondered.
Time Needed
Other Egyptian artists, however, said only time would clarify the Muslim
Brotherhood's real stance on arts.
"We should not jump to pass any judgment on the stance of the group's
representatives in parliament," actress Fardos Abdul Hamid said.
"Only the practical experience will allow us to judge the group's stances,"
she added.
Mamdouh El-Leithy, the head of the Egyptian Artistic Syndicate, said the
Muslim Brotherhood's stance on arts remains "ambiguous".
"We know nothing about the group's position but it would be dangerous if
they interfered to say this work is halal (religiously permissible) or haram
(religiously impermissible).
"Such a situation would only play into the hands of extremists."
Leithy agreed that time was needed before judging the group's stance on
arts.
Freedom
A senior Brotherhood leader, Dr. Abdul Moneim Abul Futuh, said the group has
been a supporter of the freedom of creativity in Egypt.
"How could a group that believes in the freedom of faith oppose the freedom
of creativity," he questioned.
"Those propagating these claims have poor knowledge of the group's stances,"
Abul Futuh said.
"The group's founder Hasan Al-Banna used to take his Arab and foreign guests
to attend shows in the Opera House.
"He also gave a special attention to the artistic and theatrical troupes in
the country before the 1952 revolution," Abul Futuh recalled.
"The group's former leader Omar Al-Telmisany was a fan of late Um Kalthoum
(the Arab world's leading female singer)," he said, adding that he
personally loves listening to her songs.
On the group's way of dealing with works of art, Abul Futuh said the Muslim
Brotherhood will try to convince other parties of its stance.
"If the group fails to do so, it will resort to the judiciary," he said,
rejecting any attempt to impose the group's ideas by force.
"The group supports all works of art that help build the society on
principles of freedom, justice and equality."
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