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Concert-Goers Arrested, Mashrou’ Leila Potentially Banned From Performing Again In Egypt
Seven Egyptian concert-goers have been arrested in Egypt following Mashrou’ Leila’s performance in the country last week.
The arrested individuals were reportedly detained for waving rainbow-colored flags at last Friday’s concert, later labelled as ‘an act of promoting sexual deviancy’ in the conservative Muslim country. The occurrence caused vehement backlash from conservative Egyptian leaders and media representatives – followed by horrifically homophobic comments being circulated on Egyptian social media platforms.
This is not the first time the band has unintentionally caused controversy followed by social uproar in conservative countries, they were banned from performing in Jordan recently for the second consecutive year. According to the New York Times, one concert-goer who was allegedly seen waving a rainbow flag stated, ” “Had I raised the ISIS flag I wouldn’t be facing half of what I am facing now.” The seven arrested men will allegedly undergo a series of forensic medical exams to determine whether or not they participate in homosexual acts – including torturous anal examinations. Some of the arrested individuals who were seen waving rainbow flags claim to not even identify with the LGBT community, which suggests that even being a sympathizer for LGBT human rights has now become a punishable act in the country.
Although homosexuality is not illegal in Egypt, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s government actively suppresses free speech and specifically condemns freedom of sexuality in the country – labeling it as ‘social debauchery’. The man responsible for filing the complaint against the flag-wavers at Mashrou’ Leila’s event last week is law lecturer Ahmed Mahran. After their arrests, Mahran proudly stated, “These people must be treated with force and cruelty.”
Since 2001, Egyptian officials have cracked down on LGBT communities in the country, and recently authorities have even gone so far as to impersonate gay individuals on social media apps, setting innocent people up for their own demise.
Egyptian officials have publicly denounced Mashrou’ Leila’s recent performance in the country, stating that they hope to achieve a ban on future performances by the progressive indie band.
We are deeply saddened by this disturbing news, and hope for the quick and safe release of the innocent arrested individuals. We also hope that heinous acts of institutionalized homophobia by Middle Eastern authorities soon become a thing of the past.
Main picture courtesy of Hitham Alkashif on Twitter
The arrested individuals were reportedly detained for waving rainbow-colored flags at last Friday’s concert, later labelled as ‘an act of promoting sexual deviancy’ in the conservative Muslim country. The occurrence caused vehement backlash from conservative Egyptian leaders and media representatives – followed by horrifically homophobic comments being circulated on Egyptian social media platforms.
This is not the first time the band has unintentionally caused controversy followed by social uproar in conservative countries, they were banned from performing in Jordan recently for the second consecutive year. According to the New York Times, one concert-goer who was allegedly seen waving a rainbow flag stated, ” “Had I raised the ISIS flag I wouldn’t be facing half of what I am facing now.” The seven arrested men will allegedly undergo a series of forensic medical exams to determine whether or not they participate in homosexual acts – including torturous anal examinations. Some of the arrested individuals who were seen waving rainbow flags claim to not even identify with the LGBT community, which suggests that even being a sympathizer for LGBT human rights has now become a punishable act in the country.
Although homosexuality is not illegal in Egypt, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s government actively suppresses free speech and specifically condemns freedom of sexuality in the country – labeling it as ‘social debauchery’. The man responsible for filing the complaint against the flag-wavers at Mashrou’ Leila’s event last week is law lecturer Ahmed Mahran. After their arrests, Mahran proudly stated, “These people must be treated with force and cruelty.”
Since 2001, Egyptian officials have cracked down on LGBT communities in the country, and recently authorities have even gone so far as to impersonate gay individuals on social media apps, setting innocent people up for their own demise.
Egyptian officials have publicly denounced Mashrou’ Leila’s recent performance in the country, stating that they hope to achieve a ban on future performances by the progressive indie band.
We are deeply saddened by this disturbing news, and hope for the quick and safe release of the innocent arrested individuals. We also hope that heinous acts of institutionalized homophobia by Middle Eastern authorities soon become a thing of the past.
Main picture courtesy of Hitham Alkashif on Twitter
