Khaberni - The prominent Egyptian musician Hany Mehanna has publicly apologized to the families of the late artists Shadia and Faten Hamama, and their fans, in the wake of the controversy his recent television statements sparked, asserting that what he said was the result of an unintended "memory lapse."
Mehanna said in a statement published on his official Facebook account that he followed "with a heavy heart" the reprimanding and outrage that followed his latest media appearance, emphasizing that he has always respected his audience and colleagues throughout his career, which urged him to clarify the circumstances of what happened.
He added: "I offer a heartfelt apology to the dear spirits of the two artists, to their noble families, and to all their fans, and it greatly pains me that any harm could be inferred from my words, for God forbid that I belittle such esteemed figures whom I have spent my life proud to know."
Mehanna explained that the mix-ups in his narrative were due to age factors, stating: "At this stage of life, and with the passing years, situations and names sometimes blend in one's mind unintentionally, resulting in an inaccurate or misplaced narration, a human error I hope you can understand with kindness."
He noted that the pressure of live broadcasting had a significant impact, pointing out that appearing on air requires accuracy, focus, and the swift recollection of information, which might not always be readily available.
Mehanna concluded his statement by seeking forgiveness from the audience, saying: "I ask for your forgiveness for an unintended mistake, as my history attests that I have always been loving to all and appreciative of the art and its people."
The crisis dates back to statements where Mehanna recounted an incident saying that the artist Shadia wanted to collaborate on a musical project with Faten Hamama, but the latter – according to his story – inappropriately declined, using a derogatory term on air, which sparked widespread outrage on social media.
The family of the artist Shadia promptly denied this narrative entirely, affirming that the relationship between the two stars was marked by mutual respect and appreciation.
In light of these developments, the Supreme Council for Media Regulation in Egypt announced it had referred Hany Mehanna to the Union of Artistic Syndicates, headed by director Omar Abdel Aziz, to take whatever steps it deems appropriate. The Council clarified in an official statement that the decision was due to the harmful content and attack on some icons of Egyptian art in his statements.
The decision also includes a mandate that all media outlets avoid hosting the musician or featuring him in media appearances until the Union of Artistic Syndicates has examined the incident and concluded the investigations related to it.
