Kuwaiti media personality Halima Boland commented on the controversy sparked by Egyptian actor Ahmed Abdel Aziz ignoring her handshake during the 16th Arab Satellite Festival in Cairo.

In a press statement, Boland said that Ahmed Abdel Aziz "did not mean to ignore me and perhaps didn’t notice," noting that she handled the situation with sportsmanship and a smile. She added, "I am a fan of Egyptian art, and I am grateful to the Egyptian audience for what it has achieved."

Excellence Award

Separately, the Kuwaiti presenter expressed her happiness at receiving the Excellence Award as the best media personality and influencer on social media in the Gulf during the current edition of the festival.

The incident occurred after an interview Boland conducted with the actor. When she extended her hand for a handshake, he quickly left the scene without noticing her, sparking widespread discussion on social media.

Opinions among followers were divided: some considered the gesture deliberate in response to awkward questions, while others saw it as unintentional. It is worth noting that Ahmed Abdel Aziz has previously denied intentionally ignoring his audience in similar situations, explaining that it is sometimes due to being preoccupied or hurried.

Despite the clarifications, the incident continues to fuel debate around the actor, with some defending his actions and others viewing them as an unjustified offense.