Egyptian Host Allegedly Encourages Pornography, Faces Trial

Egyptian actress and television host Entesar is facing charges of debauchery and blasphemy after telling young men to watch pornography.

Three police reports were filed against the host. One complaint stated that she “called on her audience to watch pornography as it is very beneficial to educate youth before marriage.” This way the young men can “satisfy their needs” while they save up for a wedding.

“Most Egyptian men know nothing about how to have a real sexual encounter, therefore they must watch porn to learn how to act during their first time,” she elaborated.

She also told her audience she watches pornography and believes schools should teach sex education.

Her co-host Heidi Karam agreed and pushed for more available pornography. Third co-host Hoda disagreed with the two ladies. Karam, along with Tarek Nour, who owns the station, will face an investigation as well.

Masturbation and pornography are considered sins in Islam. In 2012, Egypt’s top prosecutor demanded the government to ban pornography. A year later, the Administrative Court decided not to enforce the ban, since it would cost the country $16.5 million “to implement and would strain Egypt’s ailing internet infrastructure.”

However, the ban surfaced again when rumors circulated that a pornography film was filmed at the Egyptian pyramids. An actress known as Carmen De Luz posted provocative photos of herself at the pyramids on her social media accounts. She denied she filmed a movie, though.

Pornography websites remain very popular in Egypt. Their citizens are one of the most frequent users who search for “sex” on the internet. At least five websites are in the top 100 of most frequently visited in the country.

In November, an Egyptian court convicted nine men of “inciting debauchery” after they appeared in a YouTube video of an alleged fake gay wedding on the Nile. One man said the marriage was a joke and the party was a birthday celebration. He claims the men did not “intend to portray a wedding” and there were women on the boat, but they were not in the video. Two men exchanged rings among cheering friends. Egypt’s chief prosecutor said the actions were “shameful to God” and “offensive to public morals.”

Another court sentenced two belly dancers for inciting debauchery. Each woman received six months in prison. Lawyers claimed “they were outrages to public morality and harmed the image of Egyptian women.” One woman allegedly insulted Egypt’s flag, as her dress mirrored its colors. The other dancer received the sentence because “she wore skimpy clothes.”