Fadwa Mawheb, previously criticized for her problematic views on modesty, has once again sparked public outrage—this time by misrepresenting Egypt’s ancient heritage.

During a recent visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum, she shared content linking statues of Pharaoh Ramesses II to Quranic verses associated with the tyrannical Pharaoh in Prophet Moses’s story.

The Incident: Misguided Associations

Mawheb posted videos and images from the museum, notably in front of the colossal statue of Ramesses II, accompanied by the Quranic verse:

“And Pharaoh said, ‘Let me kill Moses and let him call upon his Lord. Indeed, I fear that he will change your religion or cause corruption in the land'” (Quran 40:26).

This association was perceived by many as an attempt to equate Egypt’s revered pharaonic history with negative connotations, sparking widespread criticism.

Public Backlash

Egyptians took to social media to express their outrage, accusing Mawheb of distorting the nation’s history and disrespecting its cultural heritage.

A hashtag demanding the revocation of her Egyptian citizenship trended on X (formerly Twitter), with users arguing that her actions displayed animosity towards Egypt and a deliberate attempt to malign its ancient civilization.

Legal Actions: Accusations of Defamation

The controversy escalated legally when lawyer Ashraf Farahat filed a complaint with the Attorney General, accusing Mawheb of insulting Egypt’s civilization and provoking public sentiment.

The complaint emphasized that her actions constituted a deliberate affront to Egypt’s rich heritage and called for an investigation into the matter.

Mawheb’s Response: Claims of Misunderstanding

In the face of mounting criticism, Mawheb deleted the contentious posts and issued a statement claiming her intention was to highlight Egypt’s greatness and remind followers that Prophet Moses lived in Egypt.

She attributed the backlash to a “misunderstanding,” asserting that she had “no ulterior motives.”

Girl…

Historical and Religious Clarifications: Addressing Misconceptions

Mawheb’s actions have reignited discussions about the identity of the Pharaoh during Moses’s time. While some theories suggest Ramesses II, there is no definitive historical or religious evidence to confirm this.

Moreover, her selective use of Quranic verses has been criticized as misleading and potentially inflammatory.

Egypt holds a significant and positive place in Islamic tradition, and many view its ancient civilization as a source of pride. Equating it with negative religious connotations is both historically inaccurate and divisive.

The Identity of Pharaoh in Moses’ Story is Not Definitively Proven
There is no conclusive historical or religious evidence that explicitly identifies Ramesses II as the Pharaoh of Moses in Islamic, Jewish, or Christian traditions.

Some scholars theorize that Ramesses II (1279–1213 BCE) might have been the ruler during Moses’ time, but others argue for different pharaohs, such as Merneptah (his successor) or even a ruler from the Hyksos period. The Quran, Torah, and Bible do not name the Pharaoh of the Exodus.

Selective Use of Religious Texts
Mawheb’s choice to use a Quranic verse that highlights Pharaoh’s tyranny while standing in front of Ramesses II’s statue is highly selective and misleading.

The Quran mentions Pharaoh multiple times but does not link the story explicitly to Ramesses II. If her intention was to highlight Prophet Moses’ presence in Egypt, she could have chosen other verses that describe Egypt’s historical significance, rather than verses condemning Pharaoh.

Egypt’s Place in Islamic Tradition
Islam does not demonize Egypt. The Quran itself refers to Egypt as a land of great significance:

“Enter Egypt, Allah willing, safe and secure.” (Quran 12:99)

Many prophets, including Prophet Joseph (Yusuf) and Prophet Moses, lived in Egypt. Prophet Muhammad himself praised Egypt in multiple hadiths.

Using a verse that associates Pharaoh with corruption without context is a deliberate attempt to stir controversy.

Ancient Egyptian Civilization vs. Modern Egyptian Identity
Mawheb’s comments blur the line between ancient Egyptian civilization and modern Egyptian identity.

The Pharaohs are part of Egypt’s cultural and historical heritage, not a current political or religious symbol.

Many Egyptians view their pharaonic past as a source of pride, and equating it with religious condemnation is historically inaccurate and unnecessarily divisive.

A History of Controversy: Repeated Offenses

This incident is not Mawheb’s first brush with public ire. She has previously faced backlash for her contentious views on social and religious matters, including criticizing the phrase “Ramadan Kareem” as religiously incorrect and asserting that wearing shorts at home is forbidden, leading to widespread ridicule.

So… What’s the Point?

At this point, we have to ask: who even cares which Pharaoh was the one in Moses’ story? Does it really change anything? Are we suddenly going to cancel ancient Egyptian history and start tearing down statues? No one is out here praying to Ramesses at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

It’s a museum, not a temple.

And if Mawheb is so convinced that the place is some kind of religious offense, why the hell is she even there? Was she on a mission to “expose the truth,” or was it just another attempt to stay relevant through controversy?

Egypt’s history is its pride, and no amount of selective misinterpretation is going to change that. If you want to be controversial for the sake of it, at least be original.

One thing is certain: Fadwa Mawheb keeps making headlines, but never for the right reasons.

Tell us what you think! Is this another case of unnecessary outrage, or does she actually need to be held accountable?