Egyptian singer Sherine Abdel Wahab to face trial after making a joke about the Nile carrying diseases during a concert held in the United Arab Emirates, last January.

Abdel Wahab was on stage when a fan requested that she sings the famous track ‘Have You Drunk From the Nile?’ – a song which shows the deep connection between home and love of the Nile entailing that whoever drinks from the Nile will come back to it.

She responded saying “No, you’d get Schistosomiasis” adding “Drink Evian, it’s better”.

The Musicians Syndicate said on Tuesday that it banned Abdel Wahab from performing in Egypt over her “unjustified mockery”.

Abdel Wahab apologized for making these remarks saying that she is was a ‘silly joke’.

She further added, “I watched the video as if it was the first time. I don’t remember saying this and, for sure, I don’t mean it nor does it express how I feel towards my country.”

Some artists backed Sherine after her apology on Facebook and Twitter such as Angham, Asala and Nishan among others.

The syndicate has previously banned many performers and bands for all sorts of reasons. Earlier in September, Mashrou Leila has been banned from performing in Egypt over ‘Rainbow Flag’.

While the role of the Syndicate of Musical Professions is not restricting, the syndicate does prevent performances whenever they allegedly violate the ”social norms”.

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