Lebanese singer Nawal Al Zoughbi denied at a press conference held in Beirut taking 1,300,000 from Iraqi president Saddam Hussain for concerts she held in Baghdad. Nawal said if the rumors were true she would have quit her job and stayed at home with her family after receiving so much money securing her future.
According to the London based daily, Al Sharq Al Awsat, Nawal revealed that she had receiving an official invitation to Iraq to hold two concerts and she accepted the offer saying it was an opportunity she did not want to let by. She added that the wages she received were the same she received at the Doha and Dubai festivals no a penny more.
With regards to the rumors about her children’s health, Nawal made it clear that it is no one’s business and only hers when it came to her children. And it is no one’s right to interfere in matters that concern them.
Rumors has it that Saddam Hussain had invited Al Zoughbi to Iraq to hold a concert late last month, and had offered the singer 1,300,00 US dollars to come despite the critical situation in the country.
Critics have attacked the president for making such an offer with the singer when people in Iraq are dying of starvation and lack of nutrition. It was added that the current situation in Iraq is not at all appropriate to hold such a proposition, especially when the possibility of war runs high.
The eldest among three brothers and one sister, Zoughbi made her debut in the music world in 1988, with her participation in the TV show, Studio Al Fan. She was awarded the 'Best Singer' award on several occasions throughout her career. - Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
