Egyptian Journalist’s Tweet Sparks Outrage Among Moroccan Artists

Discontent in Morocco following Hala Sarhan’s tweet. In the eyes of the Moroccan artist Rabie Kati, the Egyptian journalist is a "spotted viper." "The obsolete journalist, both in form and in substance, dared to attack the Moroccan woman through the artist Basma Bousil in a despicable way, which is totally unacceptable," he said to Hespress. He stated that he was satisfied with the response of the Moroccan singer, which he described as "a perfectly natural reaction." Bassma Boussil is a daughter of her country and a respected artist who is experiencing a personal life experience, "but that in no way justifies this systematic attack on her nor this hostile position towards the Moroccan woman, who represents a complex for some," he added.

Rabie Kati promises a "more severe and resounding response if the offense against Morocco and the Moroccans were to be repeated." He calls on the various national festivals to take measures against the journalist Hala Sarhan, "since she is invited to certain film events." "She is no longer welcome from now on, out of respect for the Moroccans whose honor is above all else. My voice will not fail to defend the daughters of my country," continued the Moroccan artist. Moroccan actor Rafik Boubker is also angry with the Egyptian journalist. "The Moroccan people are greater than Hala Sarhan, and the daughters of my country are well above that and better in every way," he said in a video he shared on his pages.

"The Moroccans are great, and the great do not pay attention to narrow-minded spirits. When you speak of Morocco, remember that you are evoking a civilization deeply rooted in history, a country that has given birth to scholars, artists, heroes and intellectuals who have marked the world," said Moroccan journalist Hania Kassoumi in a publication. According to her, Morocco does not need the testimony of those who ignore its history, nor of those who seek to minimize it to mask their own insignificance in the face of it. And she added: "Respect yourself before speaking of those who surpass you in stature. And to our brothers in Egypt: we are the heirs of a common glory and a history built by the great on both sides. Do not let the ignorant tarnish the bonds of friendship between two peoples united by civilizations, struggles and relationships too deep to be shaken by an irresponsible word."