The Egyptian Musicians' Syndicate has issued a decision banning 19 festival singers from working in the near future and revoked their annual singing permits. This decision, led by artist Hani Shakir, was made due to their failure to regularize their status within the union in the past period, pending their passing tests.
In a statement to "Sky News Arabia," Tarik Mortada, the official spokesman for the Musicians' Syndicate, explained the background of the decision, saying: "In order to perform as a singer, you must be a member of the union. These individuals are not members and do not follow our guidelines, and we must regulate the work environment and prevent anyone from singing as long as they do not meet the requirements."
Mortada added, "This is a step by the syndicate to save art and the Egyptian music scene, and a serious attempt to close the back doors for those lacking talent who tarnish the reputation of Egyptian art." He noted that "there is no profession that does not have its own union, and anyone working in singing must adhere to the union, either by acquiring membership or a professional practice permit."
Among the prominent names included in the ban are Hamou Beca, Hassan Shakosh, Magdy Shata, Kazabra, Hanjara, Amr Hahha, the High Heel Band, and Ahmed Qassem, known as Philo.
Regarding passing the tests, Mortada explained: "Anyone wishing to become a member must submit their papers and pass tests judged by senior figures and stars of the artistic industry. The committee alone decides who becomes a member and who fails to meet the criteria."
He continued: "Some of these singers have applied for union membership, including Hamou Beca, but he did not succeed and failed the assessments conducted by the artistic committee."
On the motivations behind the decision, Alaa Salama, a consultant to the Musicians' Syndicate in Egypt, confirmed: "In recent years, we have been facing a significant battle against popular festivals, which should not represent Egyptian singing."
Salama added in his conversation with "Sky News Arabia": "During the past period, these singers had significant defenses for them, so the sound decision was to subject them to proficiency tests, and those who succeed are welcome to work according to the rules and regulations governing singing in Egypt."
The professor at the Egyptian Conservatory pointed out that "those who do not join the union are not permitted to sing; this is clear. What these singers present is not the true form of Egyptian art. We have important voices and colleges graduating distinguished voices every year; these are the ones who deserve to be present and supported."
