Minister of Culture Farouq Hosni Fired?

If rumors picked up by Issandr at the Arabist in the last hours are true, Farouq Hosni has resigned following fierce criticism after the fire in a theatre in Beni Seuf last week that killed more than 40 people. Artists and intellectuals have blamed him for constantly under funded theaters, which led to safety budget cuts.

Actually, I hope he stays. Ministers should be responsible but I think it is a bit far fetched to hold him personally responsible for a fire that started by a candle-light. If not, we might as well follow the line of argumentation and ask all ministers to resign right away -- under funded budgets and security cuts are not exceptions, rather, unfortunately, the norm. About the Beni Suef theatre fire, read this post by Freedom for Egyptians.