The popular singer Reda El-Bahrawy posted a new picture of himself on his social media account, marking his first appearance after the decision issued by the Musicians Syndicate to suspend him from work and refer him to the Disciplinary Council. This decision came after he was accused of violating professional ethics and insulting state institutions.
In his post, which received a lot of interaction from his fans and followers, El-Bahrawy wrote: "Say, 'Nothing will befall us except what Allah has decreed for us. Praise be to Allah always and forever, praise be to Allah in every situation.'" Several followers interpreted this comment as an indirect response to the syndicate's decision, confirming his trust in God's will and fate, and his overcoming the crisis with a high morale.
The Musicians Syndicate, under the leadership of artist Mustafa Kamel, had officially decided to suspend both popular singer Reda El-Bahrawy and singer Mohamed Mustafa, known as Hamo Bika. This decision followed the release of videos containing scenes and phrases that the syndicate deemed "inappropriate" and insulting to state institutions, in addition to violating the syndicate's rules and societal values.
The decision was based on a recommendation issued by Judge Ahmed Osama Moharram, a member of the State Council and head of the investigations committee at the Musicians Syndicate, after reviewing the circulated content and assessing the situation of the mentioned artists. According to the issued statement, Hamo Bika, who holds a permit, was suspended from work for two months starting from May 1 due to his appearance in a video containing words and phrases deemed inappropriate for public taste, as well as his appearance alongside dancers in a manner described as "offensive and inappropriate." The syndicate considered this a blatant violation of its laws, particularly the Artists' Syndicates Law No. 35 of 1978.
As for Reda El-Bahrawy, he was also suspended from work for one month starting May 1 and referred to the syndicate's Disciplinary Council. This decision was made due to his violation of a previous commitment made in an earlier investigation session, where he had assured he would not use any slogans or words that go against professional ethics. However, he violated this commitment according to the recent investigations. The syndicate's decision was based on Articles 60 and 61 of the Artists' Syndicates Law, which clearly define the professional and behavioral standards that syndicate members must adhere to, as well as the penalties for violating these obligations.
The syndicate's decision sparked a variety of reactions on social media platforms. Supporters argued that it was necessary to enforce discipline and monitor the content of songs and performances, especially given the widespread influence of popular singers on large audiences. Others expressed sympathy for the artists, considering the punishments harsh and potentially damaging to their artistic careers.
For his part, Reda El-Bahrawy has not issued any direct statement or interview so far, except for the brief post he wrote, which carried an implicit message of patience and trust in God, reflecting a calm stance toward the crisis despite its sensitivity and potential impact on his future career.
It is worth noting that Reda El-Bahrawy had previously faced criticism from the syndicate for performing certain songs that were deemed to be outside the bounds of required artistic values. However, each time he would return to confirm his respect for the syndicate and his commitments not to repeat violations. This current crisis, however, is different and more complicated due to a documented violation of previous commitments, according to the syndicate's statement.
Meanwhile, El-Bahrawy's fans continue to show their support through comments and posts, wishing him stability and a swift return to the artistic scene, affirming that he is one of the beloved and established voices in the world of popular music.
This incident has once again opened the door for discussion about the syndicate's role in regulating the professional behavior of artists and the limits of freedom of expression in the artistic field, especially as the number of cases in which syndicates intervene to suspend artists due to the content of their work or personal behavior on digital platforms increases.
The Disciplinary Council session for Reda El-Bahrawy is expected to be held in the coming weeks, which will determine his future within the syndicate and whether the suspension will be sufficient or if additional penalties will be imposed based on the investigation's findings.
