Cairo- A
famous singer who decided to shave her hair completely after her divorce from her husband, and an old actor came out accusing his daughter of disobedience, and a song for an unknown boy walking in dirty areas and looking for a duck named Shaima, and the decision to ban Becca, Shatta, Shakush, Haha, Throat, Tikha, the gang and other so-called festivals singers from singing. .
These events and not other political, economic or social events are the most prominent thing that occupied Egyptians during the past days, to renew the question about this, and is it a way to distract Egyptians and distract them from more important issues as some see, or that what has come to be known as “trends” (the most interactive) Social networking sites - which emerge from time to time - are nothing but a natural reflection of the areas of interest in the Egyptian street and its issues that impose themselves on the scene.
“Bass Al-Asfoura” is a phrase that the Egyptians invoke in the context of the assertion of those who hold the first point of view.
In their assessment, raising these issues - most of which are not related to important issues, or exploiting them when they arise - aims primarily to distract the Egyptian citizen and distract him from his most important life issues, whether those that affect his livelihood or his rights, or the political reality in his country.
This is sometimes reinforced by the coincidence of provoking these "trends" and promoting controversy around them, with shocking decisions or major events, which raises their suspicion, while others see that this is normal, especially since many of these issues appear suddenly and cannot be imagined from their point of view. contrived.
The last of those "trends" that dominated social networking sites in Egypt was the divorce crisis of singer Sherine Abdel Wahab, her appearance with a shaved head and her sharp criticism of her ex-wife, at a time when activists circulated audio recordings attributed to close to the regime, and some said that they reveal issues of corruption and nepotism, Then the police said it was for people they accused of fraud.
Interestingly, the dispute that Egypt has been witnessing since the army’s intervention in 2013 to remove the late President Mohamed Morsi from power, even extended to explaining this phenomenon, as some Egyptians see that the regime’s parties are the stakeholders in this for what was previously mentioned, but others from the supporters of the current regime go It is the parties opposed to the regime that fabricate these distractions to distract people from the achievements of the authority under the leadership of current President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Sherine's poetry is the latest addition to the arsenal of deliberate media distraction, such as wine, halal or haram, dresses for artists in El Gouna festivals, homosexuality, and Shaima away from politics and the problems of the Renaissance Dam and poverty.
The topics of the mirror are the best topics of distraction and the sight of the bird
— SAID SADEK (@saidsadek) December 12, 2021
Distraction Policy
Qutb al-Arabi, head of the Arab Observatory for Media Freedom, former assistant secretary-general of the Supreme Press Council, believes that part of the nature of the work of the existing Egyptian regime is to use the policy of distraction to distract people from real issues or problems, or to pass painful policies, as he described.
Al-Arabi pointed out - in his speech to Al-Jazeera Net - that this is not limited to fabricating issues from nothing, but is also based on exploiting, amplifying, and marketing marginal issues or events, as they take more space than the public's attention, and thus achieve their desired goal.
He pointed out that media arms owned by the regime and its security services are doing this, and they are in charge of amplifying and promoting small events, relying on their various platforms, in addition to what is known as electronic "flies."
The story of #Sherine de I feel that she is looking at the bird so that they can talk about the dialogue #Leakage_of_Al-Sisi_advisors is not far away
— tarek magdy (@tarekma33233906) December 11, 2021
The girl of Egyptian reality
On the other hand, Naji El-Shehaby, head of the Democratic Generation Party, the general coordinator of the National Coalition of Egyptian Parties, does not agree that the issues addressed by the media and social networking sites are raised by the regime and its apparatus, with the aim of distracting the people and preoccupying public opinion.
Speaking to Al-Jazeera Net, Al-Shihabi indicated that most of these issues and rumors are the daughter of the Egyptian reality, and it is not possible to imagine their fabrication, but the interaction with them and their continuation is a natural matter, and reflects the nature of the people's interest, who may be mistaken in their assessment.
Al-Shihabi did not completely deny the fact that some devices and authorities are working to spread rumors with the aim of distraction, but that - in his estimation - comes within a limited scope that is easy to detect, and it is not possible to give in to it.
Notable "trends"
In this report, Al Jazeera Net monitors the most prominent "trends" that have attracted the attention of Egyptians on social networking sites, during the past months.
1- Singer Sherine breaks up
The statement of the singer Sherine Abdel Wahab - in which she confirmed her separation from her husband Hossam Habib - was part of the controversy that erupted over the fate of their relationship, as the news of the separation began to be leaked by local media, and various circumstances were published about the matter.
Despite Sherine's announcement that the reasons for the separation are a matter for her alone, and her request not to go into the details of her personal life, this did not prevent the media from continuing to address the matter, quoting statements from parties close to them, and providing special coverage on the matter.
This is not the first time that Sherine's relationship with her ex-husband has received interaction and media attention that makes her the most interactive in the Egyptian street, as rumors have previously been published more than once about their separation, and various circumstances, including leaks from Hossam's father, who spoke inappropriately about Sherine. .
Finally, Sherine topped the communication sites and the Egyptian media, after she appeared with clean hair and made accusations to her ex-husband.
Conclusion .. The latest statements by # Rashwan_Tawfik about the crisis of his daughter and grandson # Echo_Al-Balad pic.twitter.com/w2Ob1adlXe
— Sada El Balad 🇪🇬 (@ElBaladOfficial) December 4, 2021
2- The artist Rashwan Tawfik disagreed with his daughter
Veteran artist Rashwan Tawfik returned to the fore, but not through a work of art this time, but through a television interview in which he revealed a family dispute with one of his daughters and her son (the artist's grandson), a meeting that sparked wide interactions and various media coverage, which are still ongoing.
After Rashwan, 88, said during his appearance on one of the programs that the family dispute reached the judiciary, and discussed its details in tears and with emotion, the positions of support and solidarity from artists, media and sports figures followed, which naturally received wide media attention.
And then the matter also opened the way for a fertile space for the media to address the issue, through successive conversations with its parties, between hosting the artist’s grandson to defend himself, and his other daughter who supports his position.
Is this country what gets rid of nonsense!!!?
And the people only talk about trifles!?
Once Sherine the trivial and once Hama Beka and drink dates and milk and Hani Shaker!!?
People are distracted and drink intelligence media drugs!?
Rather, Mervat and the president's advisors leaked, which the country is stealing with, and the people suffer from theft in their lives, in order to deceive him with Bashir!
— Dina 🇦🇹⚜️ Dina (@Dina_2096) December 11, 2021
3- Shaimaa Festival
In a context that has become accustomed in recent years to the issues and interactions related to what is known locally as "festival songs", a song called "Shaimaa Festival" has recently emerged, and its theme, words and method of portrayal are among the factors contributing to this spread and popularity.
And the matter did not stop at its circulation and interaction with its content, as the song received media attention by addressing it in a number of programs, the most prominent of which was the "Happening in Egypt" program, in which the journalist Sharif Amer hosted the song's performer, Youssef Sousta, despite the criticism directed against him and the song.
This wide media interest prompted some to question the reason, in light of ignoring more prominent issues, ignoring the opening of the field to Egyptian public figures, symbols and scientists who have received global attention, in addition to ignoring the important events taking place on the land of Egypt.
4- Actress Yasmine Abdel Aziz recovered
In different periods, the disease of actress Yasmine Abdel Aziz emerged as one of the topics that received wide attention and interaction on the communication sites, the last of which was during the past few days, after her appearance with the announcer Mona Al-Shazly, where she dealt with the details of her illness and health crisis.
It was noticeable that the Egyptian media were in harmony with this interaction, as there were many treatments and differed to address what the Egyptian actress went through, between allocating topics about the nature of her illness, the stages of treatment she went through, her husband's support for her, and her waiver of filing a complaint with a doctor who said that he caused her injury. .
Yasmine's name remained among the ten most prominent hashtags in Egypt on Twitter for days, and through it her fans expressed their support for her, and they published clips from her last meeting, especially when she was crying and talking about her sense of imminence.
People while Shaima sings and cries with the acting of the crying child. Something simple happened like this. The gas cylinders have gone up in price and hands are surrendered.
— Muhammad Bakr (@d6RJJvOSNOsRcWs) December 5, 2021
5- The crying child
It was not strange that the tears of the child Mahmoud (14 years) during his appearance with the Egyptian journalist Amr Al-Laithi on the “One of the People” program - who accused his mother of abandoning him - provoked feelings and extensive interaction on social networking sites in Egypt, but the matter is as is the case recently. It no longer stops.
Where this appearance is the beginning of a new issue, then the various media outlets pick up the thread to present various details as repercussions of this appearance, such as the mother’s and her family’s reaction, what happened to the child and the state’s position, so that these details take a space of attention and attention, which continues until the transition to a new issue.
6- “Uncle Saleh” and his sons
The talk about Uncle Saleh appeared on social media, as well as in search engines a few weeks ago, after he spoke during a television interview with the media Amr Al-Leithi about his children expelling him into the street, and the interactors denounced what he considered "ingratitude" of his sons and "disobedience" to him.
The case, like others, did not stop interacting with it when the episode was broadcast, but was followed by the transmission of statements to his sons defending themselves, in addition to addressing his subsequent news, which reached the point of rumoring the news of his death, before denying it.
7- "Dates and milk"
At the beginning of this month, the Syndicate of Musical Professions in Egypt decided to refer the singer Omar Kamal - the owner of the song “Bint Al Jeeran”, which gained wide fame - for investigation, regarding a talk to him that was considered “offensive to Egypt”, when he justified the exclusion of the words “Wine and Hashish” while performing the song at a festival. in Saudi Arabia, replacing them with the words “dates and milk”;
He stands on pure ground.
The referral came against the background of the wide interaction with what the famous festival songs singer mentioned, which necessitated an attempt by the latter to absolve himself of the accusation of abuse and to record a video clip in which he defends himself and denies insulting his country.
This case was the latest in a long series of disputes between the Syndicate of Musical Professions with the songs of festivals, as Captain Hani Shaker became the most prominent guest in the Egyptian media during that period, while the activists of the communication sites divided into two groups;
One is in favor and the other is against.
8- Film festival looks
The appearance of female artists at film festivals is one of the topics that receive media attention and wide interaction, and according to observers, this has increased significantly at the El Gouna and Cairo Film Festivals recently.
This appeared by addressing the matter through titles that open the way for a wide area of interaction, starting with words such as “the boldest”, “the strangest”, and “the most prominent” of those views, and interactions about the presence of this artist, or the wife of that artist, with successive hosts for them. To talk about those "bold" looks that sparked controversy, which brings more interaction.
9- The testimonies of the two preachers, Hassan and Jacob
A few months ago, the testimony of the two preachers, Muhammad Hassan and Muhammad Husayn Yaqoub, before the court, raised the case known in the media as the “ISIS Imbaba cell”;
Extensive controversy on social media, which was the result of unusual questions that prompted the two sheikhs to evaluate historical figures and express political opinions.
The two men’s lengthy speech during their testimonies brought about a wide debate about their positions on the jihadist organizations and the Muslim Brotherhood, the period of the rule of the late President Mohamed Morsi, and other issues, so the debate continued for many days between defenders of their positions and critics of them.
10- The return of Mortada Mansour
Mortada Mansour's return to the scene in Egypt was formed after a court ruling accepted his appeal against the decision to suspend him from the presidency of the Zamalek club, which was taken about a year ago;
A fertile material for interaction and controversy, as is customary for his media presence, especially with the continuation of his controversial statements in various fields.
Recently, many expressed their dissatisfaction with the statements made by Mansour about the management of the Zamalek club during his absence, which included abuse of those who took charge of this matter, and accusing them of favoring players who are not qualified to play on behalf of the club on the basis of social relations with their families.
After years of controversy, Mansour disappeared after the decision to exclude him from the presidency of Zamalek, while some say that his expulsion was due to a famous statement in which he said that Egypt "has no man."
11- "The Virtuous Prostitute"
63 years after the first presentation of the story "The Virtuous Prostitute" by French writer Jean-Paul Sartre, presented by the National Theater;
The talk about her re-presentation sparked widespread controversy on the communication sites against the background of actress Ilham Shaheen's announcement of her desire to play the title role in the play.
The Egyptian media was keen to report what Shaheen announced and publish comments on it, and the matter went beyond the interest of Arab satellite channels, after which social networking sites buzzed with talk about the “ethical” performance of a theatrical show whose name contains the word “prostitute”, and members of the House of Representatives interact with the matter by submitting a request for briefing. He requests that this theatrical performance be banned because of its "scandalous" name.
The interaction continued through a talk about the Muslim Brotherhood's support for the objecting parliamentarians, and the talk of the actress Ilham - and with her actress Samiha Ayoub - about the owners of "enlightenment thought" not allowing those with narrow views and rigid fatwas to obstruct this artwork, before the talk about the matter suddenly disappeared as it began.
12- Mohamed Salah and the wine
The dawn of the Egyptian national team player and Liverpool star, Mohamed Salah, about his unwillingness to drink alcohol, without referring to its explicit prohibition;
There is a wide area of controversy on social networking sites, between supporters and opponents, in light of the remarkable interest in monitoring this interaction by the local media.
The answer that came to the question of the journalist Amr Adib, the interaction around which extended for days, and a tag was issued in the name of Salah, the list of the most frequently traded hours, and the interaction extended to include athletes, media professionals and religious symbols.
In conjunction with this controversy, the Egyptian Dar Al Iftaa commented on its Facebook page by saying that “the prohibition of drinking alcohol is established in the texts of the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the consensus of Muslims,” stressing “the severity of the threat regarding it for those who drink it.” Doing forbidden things is an act of worship in itself.
13- Stop festival singers
It was not surprising that the decision of the Egyptian Musical Professions Syndicate - in the middle of last month - to stop 19 of the most famous singers of festivals and popular songs in Egypt from singing, sparked controversy on social networking sites, in light of the recent presence of this type of singing and the expansion of its audience.
However, the matter did not stop at the popular interaction, part of which focused on the strange names of most of these singers, as the various media did not spare an effort to monitor the positions of the singers who were banned, and to repeat the opportunity for the captain of the musical professions, artist Hani Shaker, to announce the decision and its justifications.
The comment of Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris - who criticized the decision - to increase the circle of controversy, which was followed by a response by the captain of the musical professions, before Sawiris returned to respond again to Shaker.
14- Congratulations to Abu Trika
Against the background of the Egyptian Al-Ahly club’s management congratulating its former star, Mohamed Aboutrika, the Egyptian journalist Amr Adib launched a sharp attack on the club’s management, justifying that Abu Trika is accused of “terrorism,” noting that he submitted a complaint to the Egyptian Attorney General against the club’s Facebook page that published the congratulations. .
This attack was followed by a wide campaign of solidarity with Abu Trika, in which celebrities and sports and artistic figures participated, and a sharp denunciation of what Adeeb had done, and this situation lasted for days, with a remarkable and successive monitoring by local media of this solidarity.
At this time, the Egyptian regime’s committees must take advantage of the frenzied attack on Abu Trika and activate the hashtag “We are all the virtuous prostitutes” in response to the hashtag #We are all_Abu_Treka
— Montaser Ali (@montaser3li) December 1, 2021
15- The fake forensic analyst
The state of controversy that resulted from the episode of the “Happening in Egypt” program last October lasted more than a week, in which broadcaster Sherif Amer hosted a man who claimed that he had married 33 times to be a legal analyst, prompting a number of religious scholars to confirm the inviolability of this form of marriage .
The controversy that local media was keen to stoke through successive monitoring of the reactions and comments of religious figures;
He pushed the person who made these allegations to retract that, and confirm that what he said was "fabricated", and accused the announcer and the program's staff of being the ones who incited him to do so.