Cairo – An Egyptian model was arrested on Monday during a photo session in Sakkara, a popular archeological site in the city of Giza. Salma al-Shimi, 26, posed for a collection of photos in a dress on a pattern on ancient Egyptian clothing. The organization was considered “unsuitable” by officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Salma Al-Shimi / Facebook / Hosam Muhammad
Mustafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, confirmed the incident to government prosecutors for investigation, the ministry said in a statement. It warns the vizier that “negligence will be punished when it comes to antiques or our unique Egyptian culture.”
Two ministry employees and four security personnel working at the site were referred to prosecutors for an administrative investigation, Sabra Farage, director of the Sakkara antiquities site, told CBS News. Farage denied reports that six such individuals had been arrested.
Anyone wishing to shoot a photo or video for commercial purposes at one of the archeological sites in Egypt must obtain the permission of the Ministry.
Al-Shimina’s photographer, 22-year-old Hosam Muhammad, told a local newspaper that he and his subject had reached an “agreement” with staff at the site to shoot photos around the Pyramids of Johor for about 15 minutes. The pyramids date to the 27th century BC.
Muhammad was also arrested on Monday evening.
Al-Shammi identified herself as Queen “Malban-Titi” for the photo shoot, the name referring to the sweet feast of Turkish delights, “Malban” and the ancient Egyptian queen Nefertiti.
The photos went viral and sparked a heated debate again about the difference between breaking social norms and breaking the law.
One lawyer accused al-Shimi of being “a perversion of culture and an insult to the great Pharaonic history.” An Egyptian lawmaker has called on al-Shimi to face “severe punishment.”
Under the Egyptian justice system, anyone can file a lawsuit against anyone for any reason, but it is up to the public prosecutor to determine whether there is a qualified lawyer and then bring formal formal charges.
Hyperbole aside, prosecutors on Tuesday evening ordered both al-Shimi and his photographer released on the remaining 500LE (approximately $ 32) bail for a full investigation. According to local news outlets, they are facing formal formal charges of photography without a permit, but no charges related to anything arising from claims of incompetence or incompetence.
Mohammed told the local press that he was shocked by the overwhelming response, insisting he had done nothing wrong and was just trying to make a living. He said he was paid 1000LE (approximately (65)) for the shoot, and if he had known he would turn into such a scam, he would have turned down the job.
He also said that he believed that this would not have happened if the body type of the model involved had been different.
Despite outrage from some quarters, other Egyptians rallied to defend al-Shimin’s right to wear what he wanted and criticized the tourism ministry’s actions, suggesting that legal action would only bring bad publicity to Egypt.
Just two weeks ago, Sakkara was in the news for a landmark archaeological discovery of about 100 sealed coffins containing mutilated corpses.
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