Egyptian actor Adel Imam (Photo: Al-Ahram)
Egyptian comedy star Adel Imam has been sentenced to three months in jail with hard labour and fined LE1,000 for “defaming Islam” in some of the roles he has played.
The case against Imam was filed by Asran Mansour who accused the actor of offending Islam and its symbols, including the Jilbab – a loose fitting garment worn by some Muslims – and beards, in the film Morgan Ahmed Morgan and the play Al-Zaeem (The Leader).
Imam is considered Egypt’s biggest film star with 40 years of box office hits and plays under his belt.
The actor was sentenced in absentia.
Egyptian telecommunications and construction tycoon Naguib Sawiris, a founder of the liberal Free Egyptians political party, is facing similar charges of allegedly defaming Islam after he posted pictures of Mickey and Minnie Mouse wearing Islamic clothing on Twitter.
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