No, Inas Abdel Dayem is *Not* Egypt’s Culture Minister

A few minutes ago, Mohammad Saber Arab — Culture Minister No. 5 in the post-Farouk Hosni world — was sworn in as the interim culture minister. So what happened to Inas Abdel Dayem?

Earlier today, Al-Watan reported that Culture Minister designate Inas Abdel-Dayem would not take on post after threats from the Nour Party, which others reported had been criticizing the proposed cabinet.

However, later in the evening — after it was all over — Abdel Dayem said on OnTV that she was on her way to take the oath when the prime minister called to apologize. She said she received no threats herself.

The Al-Watan article seems to be no longer available, but there were several rebuttals, stating that Abdel-Dayem had not stepped away from the position and would take it on. Al Watan, however, stood by their story, and posted an audio recording of an interview they said was with Abdel Dayem, in which she said she had received threats.

Just before the swearing-in, Ahram Gate issued a list of all the new ministers, with the culture minister not as Abdel Dayem, but as Mohammad Saber Arab, who had previously held the position from May 2012 through May 2013. Then, in May 2013, Morsi appointee Alaa Abdel-Aziz took over, fired Inas Abdel-Dayem (among others) and sparked the Culture Ministry sit-in.

So:

Gaber Asfour (Jan 30 – Feb 8, 2011)

Mohamed al-Sawy (mid-February, 2011)

Emad Abu-Ghazi (March – Nov 20, 2011)

Shaker Abdel-Hamid (Nov 2011 – May 2012)

Mohamed Saber Arab (May 2012 – May 6 2013)

Alaa Abdel-Aziz (May 6 – July 5)

Mohamed Saber Arab (July 16 – present)

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Also, from Mada Masr: Conflicting statements on Abdel Dayem appointment to Culture Ministry