CAIRO — Egyptian actress Sama El Masry announced on Instagram March 26 that she would host a religious show during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. The announcement sparked controversy in Egypt amid objections from Al-Azhar scholars and the Egyptian Parliament.

The question is now whether Al-Azhar will ban the show, for Masry is a media figure of questionable reputation and a long record of controversy. She is the owner of the Sky production company and runs a satellite channel called Al-Feloul ("The Remnants"), which in the past she used to broadcast shows opposing the Muslim Brotherhood regime. Egyptians describe her as a dancer and a porn star, because she uses sexually suggestive content in both her YouTube videos and on her Al-Feloul channel, which is currently off the air. Masry ran in the 2015 parliamentary elections, but Egypt's Supreme Administrative court disqualified her before the vote.

“I cannot seem to understand the uproar that my show has provoked,” Masry told Al-Monitor. She said she would not personally introduce the religious content of the program, which she named “Disobedience to Parents,” and that she would only interview the show's guests.

Masry said the show is not purely religious, but discusses social problems through a religious perspective. She said she will host both Al-Azhar scholars and Christian clergy because the perspectives of the show will not be limited to Islam.