Cairo: State Ministry of Information has taken note of the article attributed to Mr. Fouad Al-Hashem, the Kuwaiti journalist, which contained offensive remarks against Egypt, its people, and Arab moral values, in addition to allegations that harm Egypt's health and tourism sectors. In this regard, the State Ministry of Information affirms the following:
According to State Information Service Egypt, the descent of this individual into the mire of vulgarity he used against Egypt and its people is entirely unacceptable. It is not only a moral degradation, but it is a professional and media failure, and a conduct that cannot be tolerated or overlooked. The Ministry pays tribute to the Kuwaiti voices-as well as those from across the Arab Gulf states-including media professionals, intellectuals, officials, and honorable citizens, who were swift to condemn the actions committed by that individual against Egypt and its people. They gave expression to the natural and deeply-rooted national and pan-Arab sentiments shared by the peoples of Egypt and Kuwait. Their articles and opinions underscored the social, political, and cultural bonds that have linked the two sisterly nations throughout ancient and modern history. Furthermore, they recalled the dozens of prominent figures who contributed to consolidating these bilateral relations, including within the Kuwaiti media, which gratefully remembers the major names that contributed to its renaissance, such as the late Dr. Ahmed Zaki, Mr. Ahmed Bahaa El-Din, and others.
The State Ministry calls upon Egyptian media professionals and citizens not to fall into the trap of conflating this individual's deviation from all values, norms, and ethics with the brotherly Kuwaiti people, who hold deep affection for Egypt-its leadership, citizens, and cultural and media elites-and who have always been keen to maintain strong relations with Egypt. It also urges them not to be drawn into the discord that this offending individual sought to provoke at this particular time in an attempt to create division between the two peoples. In their view, the writer of the article represents no one but himself, and they hold the Kuwaiti media and people in higher regard than to be represented by such views.
In response to the offensive content of the aforementioned article, and in order to deter this individual and others who seek to undermine relations among the peoples, the following measures have been taken: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates, through the Egyptian Embassy in Kuwait, has communicated with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the offensive content directed at Egypt and its people. Based on coordination between the Egyptian and Kuwaiti Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs was informed by his Kuwaiti counterpart that the matter has been referred in its entirety to the Public Prosecutor in brotherly Kuwait to take the necessary legal action.
The State Minister of Information contacted the Minister of Information of Kuwait to express complete rejection of the article, which was published in a Kuwaiti media outlet. This act is unacceptable and harms the strong relations between the two countries. He also expressed confidence that the Kuwaiti side will not tolerate such behavior. At the same time, during the phone call, the State Minister of Information reaffirmed Egypt's full support-government and people-for the brotherly State of Kuwait in facing the unjustified Iranian attacks it is subjected to. Coordination is currently ongoing between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Egypt and Kuwait regarding possible legal measures, in accordance with Kuwaiti law, against the individual in question.
The State Ministry of Information has submitted memoranda to the Kuwaiti Journalists Association, the Arab Journalists Union, and the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate to take the necessary actions stipulated in their respective regulations regarding this violation, which contravenes all professional standards and media codes of ethics that reject the use of media to offend or create division between brotherly nations. The State Ministry of Information calls upon all media professionals and citizens in Arab countries, including those in Egypt, as well as Arab and Egyptian cultural elites, to play their role in safeguarding Arab relations and preventing attempts at incitement and discord-especially under current circumstances that require unity and solidarity in facing the challenges confronting the nation.
The State Ministry also reiterates its determination, along with all relevant Egyptian authorities, to subject any violations that harm national interests or damage relations with brotherly Arab countries to Egyptian laws and regulations. It likewise calls on the concerned authorities in brotherly Arab states to take similar action against those who offend Egypt and its people or seek to harm their countries' relations with it, in accordance with their respective legal systems and regulations.