CAIRO — Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali announced on May 11 that the ministry would offer a reward of 1 million Egyptian pounds (about $100,000) to any TV series airing during the upcoming Ramadan that does not feature any smoking or drug use. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins in early June, is a popular time for TV shows, with new series often airing episodes on a daily basis after the evening iftar meal.
Wali's announcement came on the televised program "Hona el-Asema" on CBC. The minister confirmed that she was taking this step because cinematic and TV productions exaggerate smoking and drug use in Egyptian society.