Egyptian Actress Threatens To Slipper Lockdown Breakers

Story ByLee Bullen,Sub EditorJoseph Golder,AgencyCentral European News

This actress and former Miss Egypt beauty queen has come under fire for vowing to “slipper” anyone caught breaking the COVID-19 lockdown.

Dalia Al-Behery, 49, who was crowned Miss Egypt 1990, made the comment on Facebook and even called on the authorities to impose a stricter lockdown.

The actress wrote: “I am imprisoned at home, my family and I are entering our 36th day.

“We are respectable people and God forbid one of us gets sick and can’t find a hospital bed because some irresponsible animal went wandering around or didn’t care about our current state.

She warned: “Whoever will talk to me about daily work, I will answer with the slipper.

“Most charities… started begging before Ramadan even began, so no one can tell me they will not eat, and many will avoid working all year anyway.”

A screenshot of the post was leaked online and Egyptian netizens slammed the actress for her comments.

One social media user belittled her acting career in comparison to key workers by saying: “Dalia Al-Behery, you are just an extra.”

Many netizens pointed out that fellow actor Mohammed Ramadan was snapped in group photos with cast and crew members this week

A Twitter user said: “Why doesn’t she criticise her artist colleagues who are filming Ramadan television series and their lack of commitment to staying home?”

Another netizen echoed the remark: “Surely Mohamed Ramadan is not an essential worker?”

On Wednesday, Al-Behery was forced to answer her online critics in an Instagram video where she claimed her comment was taken out of context and was aimed at panic buyers not essential workers, according to local media.

Reports said that Egypt’s low-income have seen their incomes reduced even further by the pandemic.

One third of Egypt’s population is reportedly living on around 1.50 USD (1.2 GBP) a day at the moment.

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