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Egypt guides angered by seductive portrayal AFP
October 9, 2006
CAIRO -- Tourist guides in Egypt called Sunday for a "licentious" Ramadan television series to be pulled because it shows one of their number, played by popular actress Leila Olwi, "wooing" a tourist.
"In this series, 'Nur Al Sabah' (Light of Day), we see licentious scenes such as when she woos this tourist by dancing," the head of the tourist guides' union, Mohammed Ghareeb, said.
He said that he had called on information minister Anas Al Fiqi and the government censor to ban the series being shown on state-run television since the Muslim fasting month started late September.
The character is "unrealistic" and "degrades the image of guides," said Ghareeb, saying that the character - "a frivolous divorcee" - was also seen driving a minibus that is strictly against union regulations.
If the government fails to intervene, Ghareeb said that legal action would be taken against the series' writer and director who, in any case, "should first of all have consulted the profession."
Television series made for screening over Ramadan draw huge viewing audiences as families gather in the evening for the iftar fast-breaking meal.
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