In 2018, a short video of Menna Gubran confronting a man who followed her outside On the Run went viral.

While many saw it as proof of harassment, Menna faced a wave of backlash. People accused her of exaggerating, others claimed she knew him, and some even said he was just “trying to get to know her.”

Seven years later, Menna reached out to us to set the record straight — with receipts.

She shared a screen recording from 2022 of a voice note that Mahmoud Suleiman, the man in the video, sent her.

In it, he thanked her for filming him, saying:

“You did me a favor. That video was the best thing that could have happened to me. It opened doors, gave me opportunities, and helped me build connections.”

Not only did he admit it, but he also kept following up with her over the years, turning the incident into his own PR moment.

From Harassment to “Opportunity”

Instead of acknowledging his behavior, Mahmoud reframed the situation as something positive for himself.

Menna shared the messages he sent her:

• 2022: “Menna, I’m Mahmoud Suleiman, the one you filmed. Can I talk to you? You can benefit a lot. You’ll make money and fame.”
• 2023: “I’ve had your number since the day you filmed me in the video, but I didn’t think of calling you. I’m sending you here so you don’t get it into your head that I’m chasing you in any other way. We just need to meet, let’s say, 10 minutes.”
• Later in 2023: “Menna, we just need to meet for 10 minutes. I have a great business idea. You can choose the time and place. If you don’t like it, fine, but don’t ignore me. You won’t lose anything.”

“Following me is harassment. Making me feel unsafe is harassment.”

Menna Gubran explained to us what really happened that day:

“What’s being said about me on social media is not true. People didn’t even stop to ask themselves, ‘Why was I already filming?’ He kept hovering around me, asking me over and over despite my refusal. He rolled down his window, stuck his face out, and talked to me.

At first, I ignored him and walked away quickly. Then I gave him a look that clearly said, ‘I’m not interested, GO.’ I felt unsafe and uncomfortable.

I tried to hide inside On the Run, even went into the supermarket next to it, but he didn’t care. He had a goal and was determined to reach it. Eventually, he parked his car and got out.

That’s why I decided to take my right and film him. And of course, anyone who realizes they’re being filmed is going to act decent.

So when I told him no, he just left. Not because he’s a gentleman, but because there was a camera.”

For Menna, this is the clearest proof of his intentions:

“He wasn’t helping me. He was the reason I felt unsafe. And then he used it for his own fame.”

“I never knew him.”

Rumors that she knew Mahmoud beforehand still follow Menna to this day. She was firm in her response:

“No. I never knew him. Unlike what some say, I had never seen him before that day.”

The Aftermath: Blame, Lies, and No Justice

When the incident first went public, Menna was met with harsh criticism.

“Of course, I was disappointed. Some people realized he’s a liar, but some defended him — because they’re harassers themselves.

Some girls even mocked me, saying they wished they were in my position.

Gold diggers, basically.

They said, ‘I wish it were me.’”

She also pointed out how the law at the time worked against her:

“Back then, he could’ve sued me for defamation just because I filmed him. Imagine, like if I put a camera in my shop and caught a thief — he could sue me for defamation!“

Later, that law was changed.

Today, she no longer lives in Egypt, but the issue still follows her online:

“After Nayra Ashraf was murdered, I saw people defending her killer. So honestly, I don’t expect anything to change. But I can’t stay silent about my rights. I’m not a victim.”

Don’t allow Harassment to Get Rewritten!

This case shows how harassment can be twisted against the victim. Menna faced ridicule and disbelief, while Mahmoud turned the moment into a self-made opportunity — even admitting that her video gave him money, connections, and fame.

“Following me is harassment. Making me feel unsafe is harassment. And no, he wasn’t helping me. He was the reason I felt unsafe.”