Thursday March 28th, 2024
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Mena Massoud Appointed as Ambassador for ‘Speak Egyptian’ Initiative

He's a little more 'Egyptian' than people realise...

Staff Writer

Mena Massoud Appointed as Ambassador for ‘Speak Egyptian’ Initiative

Canadian-Egyptian star of Disney’s 2019, live-action remake of Aladdin, Mena Massoud, has been named ambassador for the newly-launched Speak Egyptian Initiative, which is spearheaded by the Minister for Emigration and Egyptian Affairs Abroad, Nabila Makram. In an effort to keep Egyptian heritage alive among Egyptians living abroad, the initiative aims to safeguard the Egyptian-Arabic language and dialect, by teaching it to children.

During her announcement, Makram praised Massoud for his grasp of his motherland’s language, explaining the choice to appoint the actor is down to her belief that "art is one of the elements of soft power for Egypt, due to its influence" and that Massoud "reflected a positive image of Egypt globally." 

Massoud is currently visiting Egypt and participating in this year’s El Gouna Film Festival. Check out our little ‘Egyptian Slang Game’ hosted by Amina Khalil and featuring Massoud himself.

Photography videography by @MO4Network's #MO4Productions