“Kabsa... Falafel”.. Bassem Youssef sends a message about the dangers of social media under Sisi’s watchful eye

On Monday, Egyptian satirical journalist Bassem Youssef warned of the problems that social media may cause among the peoples of the region, during the activities of the Egypt Forum 2026 in the presence of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. In a recorded speech broadcast to the audience, Youssef said, “Social media was the reason for my success and fame, and sometimes it was the cause of many problems that happened to me.”

He pointed out that social media affects relations, explaining: “Suddenly a football match turns into insults between us and our brothers in Morocco,” and the video clip includes footage of a previous match between the Egyptian and Moroccan teams. He added: "Something happened to our brothers and guests from Syria and Sudan. Suddenly we wake up and find ourselves trapped in them and they are trapped in us."

He continued: “It is not appropriate for us to find people suffering from our sisters in Saudi Arabia, oh falafel, oh kabsa,” referring to the popular dishes in the two countries, which Egyptians and Saudis use on social media platforms, whether for a positive or negative purpose. Under Sisi’s eyes and smiles, clips were shown during Bassem Youssef’s video of Egyptians and Saudis joking with each other by chanting “Taameya Kabsa.”

Youssef continued his warnings and said: “Unfortunately, this is a part of the open space of the Internet that we are exposed to, but you and I know that there are things that are exaggerated, even if they are a cause for disagreement and strife between a few people in two sister countries.” He added: “You find that the dispute has grown and magnified, and I do not know where it is coming from.”

But we still know...we know the calculations that are neither Egyptian, nor Moroccan, nor Saudi, are the ones that enter into the world and expand discord and hatred.”