Karim El Shennawy: ‘Eslami Ya Masr’ in Lam Shamsiya Was My Choice

Karim El Shennawy, director of the Egyptian television series ‘Lam Shamsia’, issued a public clarification on his personal Facebook account regarding the decision to include the patriotic song ‘Eslemy Ya Masr’ in the show’s final episode. The statement came in response to online speculation and public debate suggesting that the ending had been altered under pressure from censorship authorities.

According to El Shennawy, the choice to use the song was made solely by the show’s creative team and did not involve any interference from state institutions, regulatory bodies, or the production company. He emphasized that the decision stemmed from a deeply personal and emotional place for those involved in the making of the series.

El Shennawy added that while the audience is entitled to form their own opinions, whether in favor or against the inclusion of the song, the team felt it was important to share the reasoning behind their artistic choice.

In a related development, Abdel Rahim Kamal, head of the Egyptian Censorship Authority for Artistic Works, also addressed the controversy. In a post on his own Facebook page, Kamal confirmed that his office had not interfered with the ending of ’Lam Shamsia’ and that the censorship authority had no role in determining the show’s final content.