As mid-August was the last date assigned by Alam Al Fan for the release of Amr Diab's new album, the Egyptian pop icon was forced to find something else to do as the album has now been delayed.
The London-based Asharq Al Awsat newspaper reported that Diab has signed an agreement with one of the TV satellite channels to record thirty prayers to be aired during the upcoming fasting month of Ramadan.
The five-minute prayers, which all hold the same name "Ya Rab Al Kaon" (God of This Universe), will mark Diab's debut in religious songs, following the steps of many of his colleagues in this field.
"I wanted to take this challenge long time ago. And the only reason behind accepting the project at this time, is that I'm seeing it the best time for me to take such a challenge," Diab said, denying all rumors saying that he's trying to compete with other singers, who did similar work before him.
Diab refused to disclose the figure he took for this agreement, but said that the project will mark the first time he has worked with both writer Baha' Al Deen Mohammed and composer Khaled Al Ameer.
Earlier in July, the star has held a press conference in attempt to absorb the media and audiences’ anger over a statement, which was understood to be defaming Um Kulthoom and Abdul Halim Hafez.
Diab came under heavy criticism after an article published by a UAE magazine, reported that the singer criticized Abdul Halim's ongoing domination of the airwaves, even after his 25-year death, "as if no star was born after him." Diab's outcry also included mention of the late Egyptian singer Um Kulthoom in a similar manner. – Albawaba.com
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
