It looks like Aliaa Magda el Mahdy is more than just a pretty face, and probably not the Facebook fan enthusiast some wanted us to believe she is. In an interview to CNN she answers questions about the why and how of her nude photos story, and if you read carefully you will identify just what every free person in this world wants, simple basic freedoms.
The freedom to create art and show it, and the freedom to ignore that art, the freedom to have sex with someone you love and the freedom to choose for yourself. The answer regarding sex and the sexual behavior of Egyptians (in her view) is very compelling, and is probably one of the best descriptions of how sex is perceived in the Muslim Arab world and how crippling this must for many freedom loving people out there.
With the growing rumors as to the “punishment” awaiting her, Aliaa is slowly getting more credit in this blog, she cut short that long wait for the things she wished for and in a brave way put herself on the line, now we need to see how far back in time is Egypt and how it would react to this very small demonstration of artistic freedom.
Here is some of the interview (the rest is on this link)
CNN: Why did you post a photo of yourself nude photo on Twitter, and why the red high heels and black stockings?
Elmahdy: After my photo was removed from Facebook, a male friend of mine asked me if he may post it on Twitter. I accepted because I am not shy of being a woman in a society where women are nothing but sex objects harassed on a daily basis by men who know nothing about sex or the importance of a woman.
The photo is an expression of my being and I see the human body as the best artistic representation of that. I took the photo myself using a timer on my personal camera. The powerful colors black and red inspire me.
CNN: Who is Aliaa Elmahdy inside the body portrayed in the nude photo?
Elmahdy: I like being different. I love life, art, photography and expressing my thoughts through writing more than anything. That is why I studied media and hope to take it further to the TV world too so I can expose the truth behind the lies we endure everyday in this world. I don’t believe that we must have children only through marriage. It’s all about love.
CNN: How have your Egyptian Muslim parents reacted? How do they feel about you living with your boyfriend unmarried?
Elmahdy: I last spoke to them 24 days back. They want to support me and get closer, especially after the photo was released, but they accuse Kareem of manipulating me. He has been my support system and has passed along their text messages to me. I dropped out of AUC (The American University in Cairo where she was a media student) months back after (my parents) attempted to control my life by threatening not to pay the fees.