Egyptian fashion model and Instagram influencer, Salma al-Shimi, was arrested and later released on bail. Both she and the photographer were detained after a photoshoot at the Pyramid of Djoser near Cairo was deemed inappropriate by authorities.
Egyptian fashion model and Instagram influencer, Salma al-Shimi, was arrested and later released on bail. Authorities detained both her and the photographer after a photoshoot at the Pyramid of Djoser, near Cairo, was deemed inappropriate. (Image: Instagram)
Photographer Houssam Mohammed and model Salma al-Shimi were arrested and referred to the prosecution following a photoshoot at the Saqqara necropolis, located 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of Cairo. In the shoot, Shimi appeared in ancient Egyptian costume. (Image: Instagram)In early December, Shimi, who has thousands of followers on Instagram, posted photographs taken at the foot of the 4,700-year-old Step Pyramid of Djoser. (Image: Instagram)Rumors quickly spread that she had been detained for wearing outfits that disrespected Egypt’s ancient heritage and violated the rules set by the antiquities ministry for photoshoots. (Image: Instagram)The judicial source said the pair were accused of taking photos without authorisation in the Saqqara archaeological site” and released on bail of 500 Egyptian pounds ($32) each pending the results of an investigation. (Image: Instagram)According to a statement on the tourism ministry’s Facebook page, Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, requested that the matter be referred to the prosecutor, deeming the photos inappropriate. (Image: Instagram)“All those found guilty of harming archaeological sites and Egyptian civilization will be punished,” Waziri was quoted as saying in the statement. (Image: Instagram)The matter has sparked controversy on social media, with some users expressing disbelief and outrage. (Image: Instagram)In recent months, Egyptian courts have sentenced a dozen social media influencers for sharing content deemed offensive by judges.
Salma al-Shimi was arrested along with her photographer, Houssam Mohammed, shortly after her photos of herself in an ancient pharaoh-like costume, posing in front of several monuments at the Saqqara necropolis, went viral on social media.
In court, al-Shimi stated that she was unaware that taking photographs without permission was prohibited at the ancient site and emphasized that her intention was to promote tourism, not to degrade Egyptian culture. (Image: Instagram)Egyptian fashion model and Instagram influencer Salma al-Shimi poses in front of a pyramid near Cairo. (Image: Instagram)
