Egyptian Filmmakers, Artists Call for a Boycott of Turkish Series

President of the Egyptian Filmmakers Union Masoud Fouad has confirmed in a statement to that a group of artists are refusing to work with any Turkish productions, protesting the Turkish government's stance on recent developments in Egypt against the ousted Brotherhood President Mohamed Morsi. Prime Minister Erdogan, head of the country's Islamist party, has emerged as the harshest critic of the June 30 campaign and what he's calling a military coup. Among those backing the filmmakers statement are writers Bashir El Deek and Mahfouz Abdel Rahman, and actors Taysir Fahmi and Afaf Shouaib.

Masoud Fouad says they're asking that Turkish artists side with the Egyptian people and take a stance against the Brotherhood, in support of human rights and freedom and popular self-determination. The artists' call for a boycott coincides with a similar call to boycott Turkish products in Egypt. It also follows a decision by the National Union of Human Rights Organizations, an umbrella group, to cut ties with Turkey in response to Erdogan's positions.

Turkish soap operas have garnered a huge audience among Egyptian viewers. Among the most popular Turkish shows in Egypt are " El Ashaq El Mamnoua" and " Harem el Sultan." Their popularity may be harmed by the "boycott Turkish series" campaign.