Exponents of the art of belly dancing - a unique element of Egypt's national cultural heritage - believe it is undergoing a crisis and is in danger of being driven underground.
Two years ago, the government banned foreign dancers from performing, but has recently done a U-turn and allowed them back.
One of the country's former belly dancing divas, Nagwa Fouad, is now calling for the establishment of an academy to preserve the art.
From Cairo, Malcolm Brabant reports
