JEDDAH: A court in Egypt is set to deliver its verdict in the trial against singer Sherine Abdel Wahab on Feb. 27.
The Egyptian singer faced trial for “spreading provocative publicity” after she suggested that drinking from the River Nile could make someone ill.
The Misdemeanor court in Mokattam set the verdict date at its hearing on Tuesday.
The lawsuit was filed after video emerged showing Sherine being asked at a concert to sing Mashrebtesh Men Nilha (Have You Drunk from the Nile?)
The Egyptian pop diva responded by saying “drinking from the Nile will get me schistosomiasis” — a disease commonly known as bilharzia.
Authorities filed a law suit against the singer and the Musicians Syndicate because of the video. She was accused of demeaning the state and disturbing the peace.
Sherine later apologized for her “foolish joke” at the concert.
At a time when the government was striving to encourage the tourist industry, the joke was considered as an offense to Egypt, said Counselor Hani Jad.
The counselor also sought the highest penalty for her and a fine of 10,001 Egyptian pounds ($567) as a temporary civil compensation, reports said.
Case against pop singer Sherine: Verdict set for Feb. 27
Case against pop singer Sherine: Verdict set for Feb. 27
Egypt’s grand museum begins live restoration of King Khufu’s ancient boat
- The 4,600-year-old boat was built during the reign of King Khufu, the pharaoh who also commissioned the Great Pyramid of Giza
CAIRO: Egypt began a public live restoration of King Khufu’s ancient solar boat at the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum on Tuesday, more than 4,000 years after the vessel was first built.
Egyptian conservators used a small crane to carefully lift a fragile, decayed plank into the Solar Boats Museum hall — the first of 1,650 wooden pieces that make up the ceremonial boat of the Old Kingdom pharaoh.
The 4,600-year-old boat was built during the reign of King Khufu, the pharaoh who also commissioned the Great Pyramid of Giza. The vessel was discovered in 1954 in a sealed pit near the pyramids, but its excavation did not begin until 2011 due to the fragile condition of the wood.
“You are witnessing today one of the most important restoration projects in the 21st century,” Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy said.
“It is important for the museum, and it is important for humanity and the history and the heritage.”
The restoration will take place in full view of visitors to the Grand Egyptian Museum over the coming four years.
