Egyptian TV Host to Stand Trial After Encouraging Young Men to Watch Pornography

Actress and television host Entesar will stand trial on November 10 for debauchery and blasphemy after she made controversial comments about the “benefits” and “importance” of watching pornography, state-owned Al-Ahram reported.

Entesar came under fire last week when she encouraged young men to watch pornography to “satisfy their needs” until they can afford the costs of marriage. She also went on to say that pornography can serve as a good educational tool for young men before they get married so that they can become “better lovers” for their future wives.

“Most Egyptian men know nothing about how to have a real sexual encounter, therefore they must watch porn to learn how to act during their first time,” Entesar said on her nightly talk show, Nafsana.

Heidi Karam, one of Entesar’s two co-hosts on the show, supported the availability of pornography, while the show’s third co-host, Hoda, opposed the idea and said that porn should be banned altogether because it does not reflect the “morals” of Egyptian society.

Karam and Tarek Nour, businessman and owner of the TV channel Al Qahira Wal Nas on which Nafsana airs will also be investigated alongside Entesar.

Social media erupted with controversy over the issue after the show aired last week, with some Twitter users using the hashtag #Calm_Down_Entesar.

#براحه_يا_انتصار لازم ياانتصار تفهمي ان في فرق بين الحقيقه وبين الكلام الي الناس عاوزه تسمعو انا مش شايفه انك قولتي حاجه غلط بس احنا تافهين

— Roma Khalifa (@roma200644) October 12, 2015

Translation: #Calm_Down_Entesar You have to understand, Entesar, that there is a difference between the truth and the things people want to hear, I don’t see that you said anything wrong, we’re just pathetic  

زعلانين انها قالت الي بيتعمل في الدري ولا زعلانين انه اتقال بصوت عالي؟ بتهاجموها و لا بتهاجموا عقدة الذنب عندكوا؟ #انتصار #براحه_يا_انتصار — عومر (@omarjour58) October 11, 2015

Translation: Are you upset that she said what happens in secret or are you upset that it was said publicly? Are you attacking her or are you attacking your guilt? #Entesar #Calm_Down_Entesar

@OmneyaTalaat هنالك فرق بين الخطأ في السر وإعلانه في العلن الفتانة #انتصار “تبجحت” وافتخرت بالأمر #براحة_يا_انتصار

— المختار ولدمحمد موسى (@moctarmm) October 11, 2015

Translation: There is a difference between doing something wrong in secret and publicizing it; the inciter #Entesar “showed insolence” and was proud of it #Calm_Down_Entesar 

Islam considers pornography and masturbation to be sinful but Egypt, a Muslim country, is one of the world’s most frequent searchers for websites with the keyword “sex” and there are at least five pornographic websites among its 100 most frequently visited.

Egyptian authorities also introduced a country-wide ban on pornographic websites earlier this year but the ban has yet to be implemented.