Egyptian 'naughty journalist' sparks diplomatic incident after offering money for burning Kuwaiti flag

The video, which appeared on Friday was shared widely on social media and showed the well-known YouTube prankster, who calls himself the "Naughty Journalist" (Al-I'lami Al-Mushagheb), encouraging people to burn the Kuwaiti flag in exchange for $500.

Tensions have increased between Egyptians and Kuwaitis recently after video footage appeared on 27 July showing an Egyptian cashier in Kuwait being slapped by a Kuwaiti man, with Egyptian social media users making negative remarks about Kuwait and arguments starting as a result.

The Kuwaiti embassy said that the Egyptian prankster's video was "a deep and unacceptable insult to Kuwait and its national symbol and could negatively affect brotherly ties between the two countries".

The embassy said that it had informed Egyptian officials of the "deep dissatisfaction" of the Kuwaiti government and people with this "shameful incident".

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry responded by saying that it "rejected and condemned" attempts on social media to create conflict between "the brotherly peoples" of Egypt and Kuwait through "denigration of symbols and leaders of the two sides", saying that "malicious entities" were behind efforts to harm Egyptian-Kuwaiti ties.

Read also: Kuwaiti authorities investigate 10 social media influencers for 'money laundering'

None of the people appearing in the "Naughty journalist's" video took up the offer to burn the Kuwaiti flag in exchange for the money. Some of those shown stressed that Kuwaitis were "our brothers".

On his Facebook page, "The Naughty Journalist", whose real name is Mohammed Reda, says that his videos have a "clear message and goal".

However, he has asked people to do outrageous and violent things before. In a previous video he offered men $100 if they slapped a young woman accompanying him. Most refused but at least one man apparently took up the offer.

It is not yet known whether Reda will face legal consequences over his latest video.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected