Sisi supporters turn to stars to boost campaign

While sports, art and media celebrities have announced their support for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's second presidential term, some question whether dissent is really an option.
Hany Abo Rida, the President of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) looks on during the training session of Egypt team at Stade de l'Amitie in Libreville, Gabon January 31, 2017, ahead of their African Nations Cup semi-final soccer match against Burkina Faso on Wednesday. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - RC1ACCCF5920
Hany Abo Rida, the president of the Egyptian Football Association, looks on during the training session of the Egypt team at Stade de l'Amitie, Libreville, Gabon, Jan. 31, 2017. - REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
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Amr Eltohamy
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Artists, soccer players and media stars are supporting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s candidacy for a second term in the presidential elections scheduled for March 26-28. Artists’ syndicates and sports clubs called on the Egyptian voters to support Sisi and promote the “achievements” during his first term that began in June 2014.

“Kolina Maak Men Agl Masr” ("We Support You For Egypt’s Sake") association, founded on Oct. 30, 2017, by a group of artists to support Sisi’s election for a second term, held a conference in November in the presence of artists and public figures.

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