Egypt's visual artists issued a statement on Tuesday condemning the dismissal of Salah El-Meligy as leader of the country's Fine Arts sector.

The decision by Culture Minister Alaa Abdel-Aziz to sack El-Meligy was abusive, contrary to the law and regulations, and must be reversed, the statement said.

Visual artists will not accept the minister at cultural or artistic events, and consider him "dismissed," the statement added.

The statement was issued by members of "the Ministry of Culture Guidance Office who were expelled from the Egyptian cultural group."

Artists will march from the Cairo Opera House to the culture minister's office in Zamalek on Thursday 30 May at 5pm.

Culture Minister Alaa Abdel-Aziz sacked Salah El-Meligy on Sunday without providing a reason.

The move came only hours after El-Meligy had inaugurated the 35th annual General Art Exhibition – in the minister's absence – at Cairo's Arts Palace.

Artists and intellectuals have become increasingly angered by recent ministerial decisions, including the dismissal of Cairo Opera House head Ines Abdel-Dayem on Tuesday.