Family of Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafez sets new rules for home visits

CAIRO, Egypt — CAIRO — The nephew of Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafez has rejected reports that the artist's family home in Cairo's Zamalek district has been permanently closed to visitors, saying the decision is a temporary response to an incident in which a visitor lay on the musician's bed and posed for photographs. Mohamed Shabana said the family is reorganizing how it receives visitors after determining that the behavior fell short of the respect and historical value the residence commands. Under the new arrangements, the home will be open only to visitors who coordinate in advance with the family and are considered trustworthy. The family said the goal of the revised rules is to protect rare items, documents and personal photographs inside the residence. It also confirmed it will continue its Open Day tradition on the anniversary of Hafez's death, allowing fans to visit the home in an organized manner. Hafez died on March 30, 1977, and the family has since maintained the property as a museum-like space, particularly opening it to the public on the anniversary of his passing.