Egyptian belly dancer Fifi Abdo was a guest on a TV show aired on MBC satellite channel in which she talked openly about her journey throughout her career and life. Fifi said that after she resigned from her profession as a dancer she is not cleaning people's houses to make money, but instead will continue acting in different TV dramas and movies. She added that refused to take advantage of the fact that her current husband (the sixth one so far) is a wealthy businessman and use his money to produce films or TV series, to avoid endless gossip accusing her of such things.
According to the London based, Al Quds Al Arabi, Fifi noted that she and Lucy are the best dancers that ever emerged in Egypt and throughout the Arab world. When asked about what she thought of the belly dancer Dina, Fifi frankly said that Dina was the substitute dancer for her and Lucy. Whenever she and Lucy were not performing for reasons like having a headache, Dina would be called in to fill the empty spot, adding that Dina would always be waiting for such a chance. Regarding Dina's comment that dancing is a religious taboo, Fifi noted that if it was so why did she (Dina) dance in the first place and backed off her previous decision of resigning.
Fifi commented that Egyptian actress Nabila Obeid is the best dancer currently. Even though Nabila is not a professional dancer, her role in the films she takes part in prove her to be best fitted for it.
Regardless of the many disputes that will arise from electing a head for the Belly Dancing Association, the board of directors for oriental dance has made its decision that Fifi best fits the position. The board held a meeting in order to set the basic foundation for the association that will help protect the rights of dancers throughout Egypt.
Fifi was nominated for the position with regards to her long and rich career as a belly dancer, in addition to most people's opinion that Fifi is the most suitable candidate for the post. Previous attempts by belly dancers have been made to create an association that protects their rights, but for one reason or another have failed to be implemented.
Earlier this year, Fifi Abdo filed a lawsuit against Egyptian singer Midhat Saleh for giving her checks without credit as a payback for money she had loaned him early last year. Fifi had filed the complaint in June 2002 after Midhat refused to pay her back the money by ignoring all her attempts to contact him.
Abdo had warned Midhat that she would take him to court if he did not return her money which totaled over one and a half million Egyptian pounds. Midhat had given the dancer three bad checks each for half a million Egyptian pound. The court sentenced Midhat to three years of prison for counterfeiting, but he demanded a retrial of the case. Midhat told the court that he did not take the money from Abdo as a loan but instead it was an investment by her in his new recording studio. Midhat added that every investment has the possibility of loss or gain and that he should not be obliged to cover Fifi's losses.
Midhat on his part, had filed a second complaint against Fifi for ruining his name and reputation by her false accusations. Midhat demanded three million Egyptian pounds in compensation from the dancer saying it is the least he deserves after are the lies she has been spreading about him to the public.
Their case has been taken to a civil court in Cairo and awaits a final verdict. Fifi is very optimistic that the court ruling will be in her favor whereas Midhat is hopeful that he will be cleared from all accusation. –Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
