Arab critics are baffled by Lebanese singer Nada Rizq's decision to leave her family, go to Israel and give its radio station an interview - moves that have gotten her booted from Lebanon's union of performing artists.
Rizq graduated from the Art Studio more than 10 years ago and became a professional singer of folk songs. But she was unable to reach star status, according to the Arabic daily Al Hayat.
Before she joined the Art Studio Program, Rizq had worked as an announcer for Anthony Lahad Army radio. She left this job 15 years ago to stay in Beirut, hoping to prove herself in singing.
Rizq had disappeared for about two years, until she resurfaced in the interview she gave to the official Israeli radio station.
When she go to Israel? How did she get there? Or is it true that the interview was held by telephone without her actually going to Israel? Nobody has any answers to these questions.
Soon after the news report about the interview spread and was confirmed, the Lebanese Radio, Theater and TV Employees Association issued a statement dismissing Rizq.
The union considered Rizq’s act a betrayal of the country and the union alike, and advised everyone on the Lebanese art scene to refrain from dealing with her.
Rizq’s act of going to Israel is among rare exceptions by some performers, including Egyptian artist Medhat Saleh. These artists have been severely denounced by Arab audiences and governments, which banned the entry of such artists into their countries due to the presence of the Israeli stamps on their passports.
According to the paper, Rizq had no reasons to justify her trip to Israel, even if her conditions were appalling, because her colleagues suffer from the same conditions.
The daily added that none of her colleagues had thought of changing their "priorities" in a similar vein.
The visit could lead to various complications, even a court battle, added the report – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
