A new book has been published in Tunisia in the memory of the late Tunisian singer Thikra entitled “Ameerat Altarab” (Princess of Tarab/Singing. The author Hajar Bin Naser said that she wanted this book to be a tribute to the late singer who many did not truly know details of her life, adding that this book is to mark how talented and gifted Thikra was.
One chapter talked about Thikra's childhood and her beginning in the world of singing. The book talks about her hard journey from the south of Tunisia until she became famous.
The book also narrates the story of Thikra since she stated to sing with a band in her school in Khazindar institution till she performed on Carthage theatre in a talent contest back in 1980 where she won first prize.
Then the book goes on about her trip to Libya and her work with famous composers and poets and then her move to Cairo where she worked with Hani Muhana and Hilmi Baker. Her successful duets with many famous Arab singers like Mohammed Abdo, Angham, Omar Abdullat, and Abdullah Ruaished were also tackled.
The last chapter of the book the author talks about the incident of her death and reports of the autopsy on how the murder took place. The book held many good words about Thikra from famous poets and composers from various Arab countries
On a different note, despite the fact that no journalist was allowed access into the apartment where the Thikra was brutally assassinated by her husband during the incident, a photograph was released of her murdered and thrown on one of the couches of the apartment, wearing a casual white training suits. The mystery that everyone fails to solve was how the photograph was released to the public, especially after the very strict regulations put by police not to publicize any of the evidence.
It was also revealed that there exists a videotape, which lasts for approximately 12 minutes, of Thikra laying dead among the other three bodies drowning in blood. Rumors has it the copies of the videotape are available in several Gulf countries and private gatherings are arranged to watch it. Despite the lack of solid proof of the existence of the videotape, sources asserted that it exists along with other photographs of the deceased, which were taken by cameras" onmouseover="window.status = 'goto: cameras';return 1" onmouseout="window.status=''">cameras on mobile phones.
The Egyptian state attorney considered the murder case Thikra closed. The state attorney declared that there would be no other legal actions taken or accusations addressed to anyone due to the fact that the killer, Thikra’s husband Aiman Sweiedi, has committed suicide.
In a press conference held by the state attorney, he revealed that this case has occupied public opinion because the victim was a well-known singer and widely known throughout the Arab world, but he considered it a normal homicide that happens everyday.
He also disclosed that autopsy proving Sweidi and his business director were under the influence of drug overdose before the crime took place. The investigations proved that Sweidi alone was responsible for the blood bath, and he had used 22 bullets from an automatic machine gun, and 33 bullets from two different pistols. In addition, after finishing his crime he committed suicide by blowing his brains off putting the barrel of the pistol in his mouth and pushing the trigger.
The state attorney ended the conference by saying that investigations proved that Thikra was the legitimate wife of Aiman and the marriage papers proved that they married on the 23rd of august of this year, adding that the case is closed and the personal belongings will be handed to their families. –Albawaba.com
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
