"Rahma Ahmed: "I never said I wore the hijab as some pages claimed"Rahma Ahmed: "Bye-bye acting… Pray that I find myself because I feel lost”

Egyptian actress Rahma Ahmed announced her decision to step away from acting, a move that sparked widespread debate on social media. The announcement came after she posted on her official Facebook account, generating a large reaction and prompting some pages to spread inaccurate rumors linking her decision to wear the hijab.

Later, Rahma Ahmed released a detailed clarification in which she explained the real reasons behind her decision to step back from acting and revealed the difficult personal and professional experiences she endured within the entertainment industry.

Rahma Ahmed Sets the Record Straight

In her long post on Facebook, Rahma Ahmed confirmed that her decision to step away from acting has nothing to do with wearing the hijab or repentance, clarifying that what is being circulated is entirely inaccurate. She said: "I never said I wore the hijab as some pages claimed, though it’s something that would make me happy. And just because I don’t wear the hijab doesn’t mean I don’t know God; God knows what’s in our hearts, and people only see the surface."

She also clarified that her artistic career never included any work that contradicted her values or beliefs, emphasizing her deep respect for acting as a profession and a form of expression. She added: "Just because I said I’ve had enough of acting doesn’t mean I’m saying I’ve repented. Repentance happens when I have used my acting profession in something forbidden or wrong, and the projects I worked on and chose are the best evidence of that."

Difficult Pressures Within the Entertainment Industry

Rahma Ahmed revealed that her decision came after facing significant psychological and human pressures within the acting world. She said: "To work, be present, and get good roles, I often had to pay a heavy price, whether with flattery, insults, harassment, or negotiations with some directors, producers, and sometimes even stars."

She emphasized that these practices do not represent everyone in the industry, saying: "This is a profession like any other—there’s good and bad—and I deeply respect art and the truly talented artists."

Refusing Compromises to Protect Human Values

Rahma Ahmed also discussed the psychological struggle she experienced over the years, torn between accepting bigger opportunities that required compromising her conscience or waiting for roles that truly relied on her talent. She said: "I had offers for bigger roles, but the price would have taken away part of my humanity and the honesty of my feelings."

Responding to Criticism

Regarding criticism about the small number of her projects or minor roles, she explained that she worked for years in theater, dedicating substantial time to study and training. She affirmed her pride in all her roles, even if some considered them minor, adding: "The word 'extra' that some think would hurt me, you don’t know how strong and heroic I was behind the scenes."

A Heartfelt Message to the Audience

Rahma Ahmed concluded her post with a humanitarian appeal, urging the audience to be cautious when judging artists. She said: "The Egyptian artist is one of the most talented and often most misunderstood. People need to take it easy, because a word you consider normal can break someone’s heart or even kill them."

Earlier, Rahma Ahmed posted on Facebook: "Bye-bye acting… pray that I find myself because I feel lost." This post sparked widespread questions and renewed rumors linking her name to wearing the hijab, making her trend on social media over the past few hours.

Rahma Ahmed’s Artistic Work

Rahma Ahmed has participated in several projects, including: Moftrq Turuq (Crossroads), Leh La? (Why Not?), Qasr Al-Nil (Nile Palace), Zi Al-Qamar (Like the Moon). Her most recent work was the film Banat Al-Basha (The Pasha’s Daughters), which was screened at the last edition of the Cairo International Film Festival.