Egypt, model arrested for photographs in front of pyramids deemed inappropriate

An Egyptian model has been arrested for a pharaonic-style photo shoot deemed inappropriate at the Giza archaeological site. The young Salma El-Shimi, a model and influencer, posed for some shots, taken by her photographer Hossam Muhammed, at the ancient Egyptian site without having sought and obtained any permission. As in Italy, in fact, specific permissions are needed in Egypt to perform commercial photo shoots in museums and archaeological sites.

Here, however, there is more to it than that, because in addition to conducting a photo shoot without permission, the authorities objected to the inappropriateoutfit: the girl was wearing a tight, white short dress that showed off her provocative form, adorned with a Pharaonic-style belt around her waist that echoed a similar exuberant necklace. The clothing and accessories were intended to recall famous queens of Egypt such as Cleopatra and Nefertiti. On Nov. 30, therefore, an arrest was triggered for the model. The shots went viral on social media, sparking mixed opinions between those who defended her and those who criticized her, with accusations that she had offended the country and its heritage.

The story is complex, however, because the photographer told the press that El-Shimy had paid a fee of 1,500 Egyptian pounds (about 80 euros) to take some shots in front of the Djoser pyramid, lasting fifteen minutes, and an internal investigation is currently underway at Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities to figure out how things went down.El-Shimy was released on Dec. 1, upon a bail of 500 Egyptian pounds (about 26 euros), but the trouble is not over, as a lawyer has sued her accusing her of insulting the country’s history, and a parliamentarian has also called for “severe punishment” for the young woman, who despite her release still remains under investigation.

Pictured is one of the shots of the model at the Giza archaeological site. Ph.Credit Hossam Muhammed

Egypt, model arrested for photographs in front of pyramids deemed inappropriate

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