Monday, 25 May 2026
Late singer Ahmed Amer
Funeral of pop Egyptian singer delayed amid crowds, legal procedures
In a scene filled with sorrow and confusion, the funeral of beloved Egyptian folk singer Ahmed Amer was unexpectedly postponed in the city of Samannoud, Gharbia Governorate, on Wednesday.
Large crowds had gathered outside the Al-Harairy Mosque to pay their last respects, but the burial was delayed for hours as legal steps remained incomplete.
Amer, well-known for his contributions to Egypt’s vibrant shaabi music scene, passed away earlier in the day from a sudden heart attack, just days after being hospitalized following a health crisis during a return trip from a performance in Mansoura.
Hundreds of mourners, including fans, family, friends, and fellow artists such as Reda El Bahrawy, Mahmoud El Leithy, Hamo Bika, Shehta Karika, and Saad El Soghayar, had gathered at the mosque in an emotional display of grief.
However, tensions rose as the legal requirement for a medical examination by forensic authorities and the issuing of a burial permit forced officials to postpone the funeral for a second time.
Police and the late singer's family struggled to manage the swelling crowd, leading to arguments and distress among those present. The Imam of the mosque repeatedly tried to calm mourners, announcing over loudspeakers that the funeral would proceed soon, but the ceremony remained on hold.
As the hours wore on and most mourners departed, Amer’s body remained inside the mosque, awaiting the completion of official procedures. The family is now planning to set a new date for the burial once all legal requirements are met, allowing the singer to be laid to rest in his family’s cemetery in the Sayyadi neighborhood of Samannoud.