Iraqi singer Kathem El Saher and British singer Sarah Brightman have recently completed a duet under the title “Intahat El Harb” (War is Over). The singers have come together to show the world that peace can be achieved when the West and East unite.
According to the UAE based daily, Al Bayan, Kathem has made it a point to sing a number of duets with different Western singers since the US-led war on Iraq began. This new song talks about the aftermath of war and how all sides must work together in building a safe and peaceful world.
Kathem has also decided to begin preparations for the summer festivals taking place around the world, stretching from Malaysia to Lebanon. The singer will begin his tour in the Far East in mid-July and then come back to the Arab world where he will hold several concerts in Lebanon. Kathem's concert schedule is particularly fully booked till the end of August. The singer intends on releasing his latest album in June mostly composed by him and a number of other prominent Iraqi and Saudi composers.
Al Saher revealed that he will be heading back home to Iraq after being away for over five years. The singer feels that it is his duty and responsibility to stand by his people and support them in any way he can.
Kathem has made a vow to dedicate his music and life to Iraq. Kathem said that he will return to serve Iraq in any way he can, adding that his people and country need him in their rebuilding process. The singer also stressed that he is against any foreign occupation of Iraq and feels that only Iraqis have the right to rule.
Kathem expressed his joy at returning to the streets where he grew up bringing back all the good memories of the past. He added that he never received any invitation from any opposition party leaders to come to Iraq, stressing that he does not need an invitation to come home.
Kathem made it clear that he never belonged to the Iraqi opposition party and had fled to the US. After being away from the spotlight for some time, the singer had taken part in a March that called for support and solidarity towards his home country Iraq to prove to the world that he stands by his people and to put an end to all the lies that have sprouted about his position towards the war.
Kathem stressed that he is a part of Iraq and Iraq is his land, for he is in debt to it for his fame and popularity. He added that he had traveled to the US and held concerts that mostly included national songs about Iraq describing his loyalty to it. One of the songs which he had sung in the US was "Baghdad la Tata'alami" (Baghdad Don't Suffer). In the song, Kathem wanted to show the American public the real image of the Iraqi people which is opposite of what they have learned from false propaganda that shows the Iraqi people as sheep herders with weapons in their hands. Kathem added that this is also the image the West has of all Arabs. –Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
