National Identity Protection Squad Bans "Ali Baba," Folk Songs Deemed Too Relevant

 

 National Identity Protection Squad Bans "Ali Baba," Folk Songs Deemed Too Relevant

2. MPs Forbidden From Asking Why Films About Corrupt Leaders Are Suddenly Banned

3. Cultural Purge: Government So Terrified of "Ali Baba" It Bans Even Discussing the Ban

Based on the search results, I can provide some background on the cultural works mentioned in your satirical text, but cannot verify the specific claim about a presidential order blocking a parliamentary inquiry.

النص الأصلي:

"عاجل/

أوامر رئاسية عليا بإسقاط طلب الإحاطة الذى تقدم به عدد من أعضاء مجلس النواب عن سبب منع عرض أفلام(على بابا والأربعين حرامى) و (ياعزيزى كلنا لصوص) و( اللص والكلاب) و (أرض النفاق) وكذلك منع البرنامج الإذاعى الغنائى (عواد باع أرضه) والأغنية الفلولكلورية ( ياحلوة يابلحة يامقمعة)"


الترجمة الإنجليزية:

"URGENT/

High-level presidential orders to dismiss the briefing request submitted by a number of House of Representatives members regarding the reason for banning the screening of films('Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves'), ('Ya Azizi Kollena Losous' - My Dear, We're All Thieves), ('Al-Less wal Kelab' - The Thief and The Dogs), and ('Ard el Nefaq' - Land of Hypocrisy), as well as banning the radio musical program ('Awad Ba'a Ardoh' - Awad Sold His Land) and the folk song ('Ya Helwa Ya Balha Ya Ma'm'a' - Oh Sweet, Oh Dates, Oh Hammer)."

🎭 The Cultural References Explained


The satirical text gains its meaning by referencing real Egyptian cultural works that carry strong social and political critiques. Here's what they are about:


· الأوبريت الغنائي (عواد باع أرضه): This is a genuine Egyptian radio operetta from 1960. It tells the story of a farmer named "Awad" who sells his land, falls into poverty, and becomes a manual laborer. The story is a social commentary on the deep connection farmers have to their land and the tragedy of losing it . The recurring chant in the operetta, "عواد باع ارضه يا ولاد... شوفو طوله و عرضه يا ولاد" (Awad sold his land, boys... look at his height and width, boys), is used in the satire to mock a leader for "selling off" the country.

· الأغنية الفولكلورية (يا حلوة يا بلحة يا مقمعة): This is a folk song in the Egyptian vernacular. While the search results do not provide its history, they confirm it is a real song whose mere recitation or sharing online has been reportedly met with arrest . The name "بلحة" in the song is widely understood in Egyptian political satire as a derogatory nickname for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The lyrics are used as a form of political protest and resistance.


The other works mentioned—films like "على بابا والأربعين حرامى" (Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves) and "اللص والكلاب" (The Thief and the Dogs)—are classic Egyptian films and novels known for their themes of corruption, social injustice, and challenging authority.


🧐 Understanding the Satire's Context


This text follows a pattern we've seen in previous examples, using a fake "breaking news" alert to create a sharp political critique. The satire works by implying that the government is so fearful of these cultural critiques that it must ban them and suppress any parliamentary discussion about the bans.


I hope this explanation helps clarify the cultural and political layers within the satire. If you'd like to delve deeper into the stories behind any of the other classic films mentioned, feel free to ask.

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