A screen shot of Famous song writer and singer Mostafa Kamel celebrates with his supporters after he become the new head of the Egyptian Musicians Syndicate on Tuesday 11 October, 2022. Photo courtesy of Mostafa Kamel Facebook page.
Kamel won the vote, defeating conductor Mostafa Helmy Amin, music professor Sherif Hamdy, and syndicate deputy Alaa Salama.
Kamel, 52, will serve as syndicate head for the ten months that remain from the previous tenure, before holding the next elections at its appointed time.
Most known for hits like Teslam El-Aiady, Eshta Yaba, Oul Ya Rab, Kamel is serving his second spell at the helm of the syndicate following a first tenure between 2013 and 2015 where he also filled for ousted Iman El-Bahr Darwish.
In late June, Hany Shaker, 69, resigned from his post following a heated debate during a press conference over the reinstatement of Hassan Shakoosh to the syndicate.
Shaker was first elected as the syndicate’s head in 2015, before winning the elections and serving another term in 2019.
Granting Mahraganat singers permits to perform publicly has been one of the major challenges Shaker had faced in recent years.
In addition, Shaker faced other problems that included among others syndicate members’ financial struggles due to the ban imposed on their activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Musicians have competed fiercely for the position of musicians syndicate head since the establishment of the syndicate back in 1942 following an initiative by Oum Kalthoum. The syndicate was conceived with the aim to tackle problems faced by musicians and singers.
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