The absence of Egyptian actor Youssef El-Fakharany from his honor ceremony at the British University caused concern among his fans, as the audience was surprised when director Shadi El-Fakharany, the actor’s son, took the stage to receive the award on his behalf.

His absence raised many questions about the reason—whether it was due to illness or other circumstances. However, Shadi El-Fakharany reassured the audience about his father’s health, confirming that he is fine and that the reason for not attending the ceremony was due to his artistic commitments and his involvement in his famous play “King Lear.”

Youssef El-Fakharany Responds to Saloum Haddad

El-Fakharany also addressed criticisms made by Syrian actor Saloum Haddad regarding his alleged inability to speak formal Arabic fluently.

He clarified on a television program that these criticisms were unfounded, emphasizing that he is fully capable of speaking classical Arabic fluently when committed to training and paying attention to the finest details.

He revealed that while presenting the series “Stories of the Quran,” he refused to record any scene without the presence of an Arabic language instructor to ensure correct pronunciation, stressing that work at this level is not to be taken lightly, saying: “If I’m not careful and attentive, that would be the first step toward failure.”

El-Fakharany also emphasized that he does not interfere with the director’s decisions or the selection of the cast, as he trusts that the director’s choices will be the best. He added that the theater is like a home to him, and a single actor could ruin the entire performance. Therefore, he always ensures to be present before the shows begin. He also noted that he does not focus on critics’ or colleagues’ opinions as much as he cares about the audience, whom he considers the true judge of any artistic work’s success.