Photos featuring 2018 Miss Lebanon Maya Reaidy posing in front of artifacts at the National Museum of Beruit have set the young celebrity and organizers of the photoshoot under fire, as they were accused of "using women to attract visitors to the museum.
Even though her Instagram post included a lengthy caption describing the goal of the photoshoot, Reaidy's photos sparked quite a controversy online, as many people protested the initiative and described it as an attempt to "further sexualize women to attract museum visitors."
According to many tweets, "Lebanon is one of the region's richest countries in terms of culture, history, and arts, which is enough to promote tourism in the country".
Is that all what #lebanon ?? has. #stereotyping of #Lebanese #Women and #culture. Good luck with your #tourism #promotion ?❌❌❌?
— Diana BouGhanem (@dianabg) November 23, 2020
No more sexist ads.
— Myrna Mneimneh (@Myrna_Mn) November 22, 2020
No more stereotypical roles .
We should have a new standard for how women and girls are portrayed on television and in media industry.
Some comments highlighted the fact that Lebanese women are often sexually stereotyped by other nations, especially ones in the Middle East, which "calls for extra caution when associating women with reasons to visit Lebanon."
Twitter is on panic mode because of Maya Reaidy!
— Eddy Gemayel (@eddy_gemayel) November 23, 2020
Just remember, many Lebanese still come to the defense of the Zaim at any cost...but it’s perfectly fine to accuse Reaidy of a crime de lèse-majesté! https://t.co/tGPfx1rvJJ
How is miss lebanon wearing a revealing dress getting more angry reactions than the fact that we still didn’t get the results of the investigation that we were promised 110 days ago
— ??☃️? (@Afroditeschild9) November 23, 2020
Btw she is stunning
On the other hand, many defended the photos, saying that it's a gesture by a celebrity, who meant to use her popularity in the region to help her country throughout the multi-faceted crisis it has been facing recently, considering not only the economic meltdown worsened by the pandemic but also the massive August blast in the Beirut's port, which resulted in hundreds of deaths and the destruction of entire neighborhoods in the capital city.
