Over the past couple of days, several news websites across Egypt and the Middle East have been widely sharing a picture of Egyptian actress and singer Donia Massoud with a tattoo of Arabic calligraphy across her back that reads “My heart’s feud is with God.”
Even though the photo was first published on Massoud’s Facebook page in February, it resurfaced on May 14 on a Facebook page that communicates all that is new in the world of Arabic underground music.
The Facebook post reads “‘My heart’s feud is with God’ … Most probably, that is what reads on, Donia Massoud’s back, and that’s the tattoo which stirred all the controversy. She is in fact an atheist, but she’s free to do whatever she wants, and her songs are beautiful.”
Chances are high that the story would have gone no further, given that the page has a community of a mere 8,799 fans. But then everything was blown out of proportion after TV personality Tamer Amin dedicated three minutes of his show “Min El Akher” to introduce Massoud to those who may not know her, interpreting Massoud’s tattoo as an announcement of atheism.
Amin states with apparent confusion and sorrow on his face that “even though I reject what she has done, she’s free.”
Yet despite his claims that he believes in her freedom of choice, the long, unnecessary pauses and quite frequent prayers for God to forgive him every time he rereads the tattoo indicate otherwise.
Amin’s brief spotlight on Massoud’s tattoo – even though he couldn’t even get her name right, calling her Dina – was more than enough to stir anger toward the artist, who is based in France.
Reads: “Signs of apocalypse are clear, and the world has become a chaos. Atheism is increasing, and even trending. Shame on you Donia Massoud, and all of those who similar to you.”
But while some people react to the rumors that she announced atheism as if it were a personal insult, others tried to contain the fuss.
Reads: “Donia Massoud’s tattoo has gained more popularity than she personally has. Enough with the blabber already, we know she announced her atheism.”
Between the aggressive variations of curses, one eventually stumbles upon a realistic comment…
Reads: “Who is this Donia Massoud? I’ve never heard of her.”
What most people seem to have missed out on though, is what the scripture on Massoud’s back actually is.
Reads: “‘My heart’s feud is with God.’ A verse of poetry written by the Prince of Refusers Amal Donqul, and does not connote any insult for religious beliefs.”
Ouch. It seems like Amin missed out on a great chunk of his research homework before going on air.
And how did Massoud respond?
She nailed it!