Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama has been suspended from performing in Egypt for “violating the country's customs, traditions and societal values” after being kissed on stage by a fan.
The decision made by the Musicians Syndicate in Egypt came after the circulation of a video of the incident at his recent concert on the North Coast.
Alama, 63, has been summoned to the Musicians Syndicate headquarters for an investigation into what has been described as a “deliberate violation of Egyptian norms, customs and traditions.” His work permit in Egypt has been suspended pending his appearance.
Alama said he plans to attend, and holds the concert organisers responsible for the incident.
“For two days, I have been following shameful behaviour that violates all Egyptian customs, traditions and societal values,” said Mostafa Kamel, head of the Musicians Syndicate in Egypt.
“We have never been accustomed to this in our country before and we will not allow it to be repeated.
“Egypt’s stages have been graced by some of the greatest artists in Egypt and the Arab world, both artistically and in value. They have never been, and never will be, a breeding ground for kisses, undisciplined gestures and disgusting hugs.
He added: “With my sincere respect and appreciation to Mr Farid Bou Said, the head of the Musicians Syndicate in our sister country, Lebanon, and to all our brothers and sisters in the beloved Lebanese people.”
The syndicate has also contacted officials from the Chamber of Tourism Establishments to arrange a meeting with them or their representatives, with the aim of making a joint decision to summon the owner of the tourist venue that hosted the concert.
Alama said in a phone call with Al-Nahar TV: “What happened was that the girl grabbed me in her joy as I was coming off the stage and kissed me. The kiss wasn’t on my mouth. I swear to God, that didn’t happen.”
He added: “I hold the organisers responsible because people were going to the theatre. I respect the audience and I am well aware that tourism in Egypt is a great responsibility.
“I contacted the head of the syndicate and I respect the syndicate’s decision and place myself at its disposal. God willing, I will visit the syndicate next week.”
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Gender equality in the workplace still 200 years away
It will take centuries to achieve gender parity in workplaces around the globe, according to a December report from the World Economic Forum.
The WEF study said there had been some improvements in wage equality in 2018 compared to 2017, when the global gender gap widened for the first time in a decade.
But it warned that these were offset by declining representation of women in politics, coupled with greater inequality in their access to health and education.
At current rates, the global gender gap across a range of areas will not close for another 108 years, while it is expected to take 202 years to close the workplace gap, WEF found.
The Geneva-based organisation's annual report tracked disparities between the sexes in 149 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment.
After years of advances in education, health and political representation, women registered setbacks in all three areas this year, WEF said.
Only in the area of economic opportunity did the gender gap narrow somewhat, although there is not much to celebrate, with the global wage gap narrowing to nearly 51 per cent.
And the number of women in leadership roles has risen to 34 per cent globally, WEF said.
At the same time, the report showed there are now proportionately fewer women than men participating in the workforce, suggesting that automation is having a disproportionate impact on jobs traditionally performed by women.
And women are significantly under-represented in growing areas of employment that require science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, WEF said.
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