Mostafa Kamel and Tarek El Shenawy resolve dispute at Journalists Syndicate

Mostafa Kamel, head of the Musicians Syndicate, and art critic Tarek El Shenawy have concluded a dispute following a reconciliation session held at the Journalists Syndicate. The meeting, hosted by Journalists Syndicate head Khaled El Balshy, aimed to resolve tensions that arose after El Shenawy criticized Kamel’s vocal performance during a recent concert.

El Shenawy had expressed reservations regarding Kamel’s performance quality and suggested that his role as head of the Musicians Syndicate carries additional responsibilities regarding the musical landscape. Kamel, while accepting artistic criticism, had previously rejected the manner in which the critiques were delivered, viewing them as exceeding professional boundaries.

The session was attended by various figures, including Musicians Syndicate board member Nadia Mostafa. During the reconciliation, Kamel emphasized his respect for El Shenawy’s status as a prominent critic, noting that while artistic opinions may cause sensitivity among performers, they should not escalate into personal conflicts. The Association of Art Writers and Critics also issued a statement calling for a distinction between professional critique and personal animosity.