Mona Zaki and Ahmed Helmy. Photographed by Amina Zaher
There’s a reason why Egyptian actor Mona Zaki is considered one of the greatest stars of the Arab world. The actor, who was awarded the Faten Hamama Award for Excellence at the 42nd Cairo International Film Festival, started her career at the age of 13, yet her confidence and strong work ethic saw her avoid the pitfalls often associated with child stars. Instead, her raw talent and onscreen charm rapidly saw her become a favorite in Arab cinema.
From rom-com roles in Taymour and Shafika to more dramatic characters in Keda Ok, Zaki is renowned for her range. However, it’s not just on the big screen that she makes an impressive impact. Zaki is also known for her various contributions to national charity and advocacy campaigns. As Egypt’s Unicef ambassador, she helps raise awareness for issues including FGM, and the challenges facing children and young adults in Egypt.
In celebration of her birthday today, November 18, we look at some of the former cover star‘s best career moments.
Proving her acting skills live on stage
One of Zaki’s earliest works saw the star featured in Keda Okay, a renowned comedy play based on the power of money and its ability to transform people.
Addressing issues faced by Arab women through her movies
Like most of Zaki’s films, her role in romantic comedy Taymour and Shafika (2007) revealed the challenges faced by a modern-day Arab woman – balancing her career and ambitions with her married life. The movie focuses on the love story between Shafika (Zaki), a member of the parliament, and her neighbor Taymour (Ahmad Al- Sakka), a private security guard for the senior state.
Winning the Murex D’Or award
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In 2017, Zaki won the Best Actress award at the highly prestigious Murex D’Or ceremony for her role in the 2016 Ramadan television series Afrah El Qoba.
Being appointed Unicef Ambassador
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Zaki is as well-known for her various charity commitments as she is for her work as an actor. Her contributions lead her to being appointed as an ambassador in 2009 by Unicef Egypt
Starring in her first Vogue Arabia shoot and on the cover
Mona Zaki and Ahmed Helmy photographed by Stephanie Galea for the March, first-anniversary issue of Vogue Arabia.
In 2018, Zaki landed her first Vogue shoot in the first anniversary issue of Vogue Arabia, featuring alongside her husband, actor Ahmad Helmy. In the exclusive interview, Zaki discussed her connection with the media, unequal pay, and her relationship with Helmy.
Getting a star on the Dubai Stars Walk of Fame
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In 2019, Mona Zaki became the first female Egyptian actor to be honored at the official opening of the Dubai Stars Walk of Fame in Downtown Dubai with her own star.
Receiving the Faten Hamama Award of Excellence, 2020
Mona Zaki accepts the Faten Hamama Award for Excellence. Photo: Instagram/ @cairofilms
During the open ceremony of the Cairo International Film Festival, Zaki was honored with the Faten Hamama Award for Excellence for her exceptional cinematic career. Mohamed Hefzy, the president of the festival, stated, “Mona Zaki is the quintessential star of her generation. With her daring and intelligent career choices, she has been able to achieve the difficult balance of both critical and commercial success.”
Starring on her first Vogue cover
Mona Zaki makes her Vogue Arabia cover debut. Photographed by Domen / Van de Velde
Zaki made her Vogue Arabia cover debut with the January 2021 issue, following her tremendous success at Cairo International Film Festival winning the Faten Hamama Award for Excellence. Discussing her ongoing activism for defending women’s rights, both outside and within the film industry she said, “Arab female artists are neither short in experience, or popularity. It is all about the producers. We, as actresses, are lacking nothing, but we do lack a producer with enough courage to give a woman the leading role. Like any other successful artists, I consider this pure injustice.”
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