Syrian Artists’ Syndicate President Mazen Al-Natour commented on what has become known in the media as the “controversial remarks crisis” involving Syrian actor Salloum Haddad, who mocked the way Egyptian actors pronounce Modern Standard Arabic.

Al-Natour stated in media remarks: “I am not in a position to defend Salloum Haddad or justify him, but this may be his opinion, and differences of opinion do not harm friendship.”

He added: “No one has the right to judge the entire Egyptian artistic experience, which we grew up with and which continues to impress us.”

The Syrian artists’ syndicate head emphasized the prominence of Egyptian art, saying: “Egypt is the mother of the world because it is prolific, and it constantly amazes us with generations of talented artists who care about their message and the value of art. No playful remark can ever harm Egyptian art. All respect to Egypt and its artistic heritage.”

Syrian actress Sulaf Fawakherji also addressed the controversy, describing Haddad’s remarks as “inaccurate and inappropriate.” She stressed that what he said “is an unacceptable mistake against Egyptian artists,” noting that they are “pioneers with a long-standing history in Arab art.”

In recent hours, Haddad’s comments have sparked angry reactions within the Egyptian artistic community. Actor Ashraf Zaki, head of the Egyptian Actors’ Syndicate, addressed him with a poetic reference: “O man, teach others first / Shouldn’t you have learned yourself?”

Haddad’s remarks circulated widely on social media after a video surfaced showing him at a seminar, saying: “Only a few of our brothers in Egypt among the actors can pronounce Modern Standard Arabic correctly, including the late Abdullah Gaith and Nour El-Sherif.” He added: “The rest of the actors in Egypt have a real problem with pronouncing the letter ‘jeem,’” mocking them by imitating their pronunciation of the phrase (What did you come to do at this time?) amid audience laughter, and commented: “Brother, this is not correct.”