CAIRO: The Actors Syndicate in Egypt has opened a special retirement home for elderly actors in the country.
Soft Power Home recently opened in 6th of October near the Giza Pyramids. Some former stars lost their sight, were homeless and had no pension or source of income.
Ashraf Zaki, head of the Actors Syndicate, said in an exclusive statement to Arab News: “First of all, I would like to thank Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for agreeing to hand over the land on which the house was built to the owner. Provides more protection and more support for the home.
I would also like to extend special thanks for this project to the Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi, for his sponsorship of the project, especially since he considers Egypt his second country.
Zaki added, “This project was a dream 11 years ago, especially with the rise of artists who have fallen out of the limelight and need shelter.. There were some sad pictures of actors in the streets.”
“In the past years, we were surprised by this continuous scene, we moved individually and asked for donations to save artist following artist, but we thought that this thing should be institutionalized, so we contacted the Egyptian Ministry of Unity. To build a home for the elderly and provide financing.
“We were surprised by the quick response of Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi, ruler of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, who donated the entire amount required to build the house,” said Zaki.
“The house is located in a very healthy area on the 6th of October, and it consists of three floors … regarding 60 beds, and it also includes a swimming pool and a gym,” Zaki said.
The name was suggested by screenwriter Amr Mahmoud Yassin, son of the late great artist Mahmoud Yassin. We named the house hall following the late artist Hisham Selim, in appreciation of his efforts in this project, but he died before it was completed and (celebrated) with us.”
Artists Ashraf Abdel Ghafour and Mohamed Abu Dawoud were honored at the opening ceremony of the house. Kafour, Sabreen, Bushra, Abeer Sabry, Anoushka, Rania Farid Shawky, Sami Maghawry, Amr Mahmoud Yassin, Ihab Fahmy, Hanan Shawky, Afaf Tonya Abdel Aziz, Safaa Al-Tawqi, Sabry Muhammad, Sabry Fawaz. Ashraf Fahmy and Ahmed Salama.
Soft Power Home was decorated with pictures of many stars, including Abdel Halim Hafez, Nadia Lotfi, Yahya Shaheen, Ali Al-Khazar, Mary Munib, Omar Sharif, Sana Jamil, Abdel Moneim Madbouly, Saeed Abdel Ghani and Mahmoud. miligi.
And the artist Ashraf Abdel Ghafour said at the opening: “My tongue cannot express his joy at the completion of this (house) … The artist Samiha Ayoub and I went to present the project to Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi, who agreed without hesitation.” I am very grateful to him for funding the project.
The artist, Sala Abdullah, praised the opening of the nursing home, which was “a wonderful union event … Thanks to our brother and friend, Captain Ashraf Zaki, and also to the former captain, the great artist, Ashraf Abdel Ghafour. The current board of directors to implement this great project.”