Immediately after her contract with ONTV ended, Lilian Daoud was requested to leave the country. Zyad Elelaimy, her lawyer, posted on Facebook stating that. In the status, he said that passport investigation officials showed up at her house, requesting that she leaves with them immediately and taking her cellphone away.
“he said that passport investigation officials showed up at her house, requesting that she leaves with them immediately and taking her cellphone away”
The news spread like wildfire on Social Media, naturally, and even made headlines in state-run newspaper Al Ahram. Interestingly, their source seems to believe this took place because Lilian’s visa has expired and because she “no longer has a reason to stay in Egypt” now that her contract with ONTV is over. This neglects the fact that Lilian was married to Egyptian journalist Khaled Alberry. Although divorced now, they have a daughter together. We wonder if the authorities have considered the fact that this sends the message that anyone who “doesn’t have anything to do” in Egypt, isn’t welcome in the country.
Khaled was present to pick up their daughter when Lilian was arrested and he told of the incident on his Facebook. According to him, the orders came from President Sisi’s office directly.
“This neglects the fact that Lilian was married to Egyptian journalist Khaled Alberry. Although divorced now, they have a daughter together”
The TV host was known for remaining as neutral as possible when it comes to politics discussed on her show, and the rich content she always provides. Lilian has landed in Beirut, according to Zyad, and is already trying to figure out the necessary procedures to come back to Egypt. She sent a message to the Egyptian youth through Zyad which he posted on Facebook, “don’t let anything bring you down. The Egyptian people have been through a lot, and they went on. You have the will to live, that’s your weapon. And your executioner can only try to take that away from you. So hold on to it”.
“You have the will to live, that’s your weapon. And your executioner can only try to take that away from you. So hold on to it” Lilian Daoud
Until now, Lilian’s Twitter is suspended, but it was confirmed by Zyad that she is safe and sound, and just needs to rest. Photos were posted by Mohamed El Abd on Facebook showing Lilian before she boards the flight headed to Beirut.
When incidents like this one take place, only one message can be taken from it, which is that some people are being driven out by the authorities and there’s very little that can be done about it. Everyone can see the staggering amount of xenophobia demonstrated in statements like “no longer has a reason to stay here” and actions like taking a woman who has done nothing but be a respectable addition to the Egyptian society and deporting her without even allowing her to take her belongings. Lilian’s work in ONTV might be done, but that’s no reason to kick her out of a country she clearly cares about.