While most Arab stars stick to 'safe' topics in public interviews or new media Twitter, Ragheb Alama has chosen to dabble in politics by broaching the murky situation that is his cedar country. Lebanes singer-icon Alama has confessed to being but an artist and a human, making no claims to be a politician.
While other entertainers are content to speak of their latest work - films or albums - even preferring to discuss their personal lives rather than wading into Arab politics, it seems that Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama could be the first of his fellow stars to break ranks (and bread) with his celebrity peers.
Recently, the super star commented via his personal Twitter account on the current situation in Lebanon, specifically on the decision of the Lebanese Government to reduce the weight of bread sacks saying: "I heard the news of the government’s decision to reduce the weight of the bread sack to 900 grams. What is behind this decision??? A test for the Lebanese people??? Let’s wait and see”.
Ragheb added: ”I think that the people in Lebanon are not moved to act unless ordered by authority. Now the time of reckoning has arrived between the top leaders and the officials, with the people lost somewhere between, still believing them”. He continued in his epic Twitter-thon: "the solution for the Lebanese situation is very very very easy: Stop the wasting, stealing and deals; Create a supervised independent watchdog commission and abide by the rule of law, whereby politicians are obliged to come clean and level with the people by delivering clear public statements”.
After all this was said and Tweeted, one of the fans asked the super star if he considered himself a politician or an artist. This particular Tweep was fairly insistent and refused to let the singer duck the challenge laid out, not settling for anything less than a straight response from Ragheb, who gave the following: "I am no politician. I am an artist and a human. I hate to see my country controlled by those who lack humanity. I have a man, a real human, within who can't help but defend the young or defenseless”.
And that, Twitter community, was that!
Share your comments on Ragheb Alama's political pronouncements. Should artists and entertainers dabble in politics?
