Italian Belly Dancer Arrested in Egypt for Offending Public Morals

• Italian belly dancer Linda Martino was arrested in Egypt last month.
• Haggag is accused of offending public morals and possessing questionable funds.
• Egyptian authorities have intensified crackdowns on belly dancers under President el-Sisi.

Italian Belly Dancer Arrested in Egypt Over Allegations

In a rather controversial incident, a belly dancer from Italy, known as Linda Martino, has been arrested in Egypt for allegedly offending public morals. The arrest took place at Cairo Airport, mere days ago while she was reportedly en route to Dubai. This incident is part of a larger trend where the Egyptian government, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has intensified efforts to control forms of entertainment deemed inappropriate, particularly targeting performers like Haggag who engage in traditional but provocative dance forms.

Authorities Crack Down on Dance Culture

Linda Martino, whose real name is Sohila Tarek Hassan Haggag, boasts over 2.2 million followers on Instagram. She has lived a dual identity as she was born in Egypt but became a naturalized Italian citizen after marrying an Italian. However, despite her citizenship status, Egyptian authorities consider her to be Egyptian, a fact that adds complexity to her case. As for the accusations, officials allege that she was found with a significant amount of cash which they claim is linked to activities promoting vice, alongside claims of wearing indecent attire that violates societal norms.

Cultural Significance of Belly Dancing at Risk

The controversy surrounding Haggag is not isolated. In recent years, several belly dancers have faced legal issues in Egypt, particularly as the government’s stance has shifted under el-Sisi’s leadership since 2014. Another dancer, Katerina Andreeva, was sentenced to a year of hard labor for similar charges. There appears to be growing discontent among artists and advocates, who wish to preserve the cultural significance of belly dancing. Many argue it is a crucial heritage that should be celebrated, not suppressed. Amie Sultan, a renowned Egyptian actress and dancer, has been vocal in promoting this perspective, advocating for recognition of this art form at an international level, stressing its cultural importance and heritage. Her calls for protection against cultural appropriation highlight the tension artists feel against the backdrop of political suppression and impending censorship in the arts.

The arrest of Italian belly dancer Linda Martino in Egypt highlights continuing tensions between cultural expression and public morality laws in the region. As authorities maintain strict controls over such performances, many fear for the future of belly dancing, an art form rooted in Egypt’s rich history. The push for recognition as part of the UNESCO heritage underscores the urgent need to protect this dance and preserve its cultural significance against governmental repression.