What was Lebanese superstar Ragheb Aama doing in prison last Wednesday?
Don’t worry, the disciplined singer was not arrested for bad behaviour; he was visiting the Roumieh Prison in Lebanon for humanitarian reasons.
The UNEP Goodwill Ambassador visited Lebanon’s largest detention facility on an official mission, where he vowed to help any inmates in need. This marked Alama’s first mission as a UN Ambassador.
Ragheb tweeted: “I’ll be making a visit to Roumieh Prison on an official mission that deals with human rights. I’ll be overlooking the general conditions of inmates there and will shed light on any sufering taking place behind prison doors.”
During his visit, Alama met with several inmates in their cells, where he listened to their needs and demands. The inmates told the award-winning star that they complain of overcrowdedness and a slow judicial system.
Inmates have previously staged hunger strikes in protest of the deteriorating prison conditions.
Therefore, Alama promised the prisoners to make their demands heard with the help of the ISF “because they have the right to live in dignity.”
Hours later, Alama said that he contacted the head of the Higher Judicial Council Judge Jean Fahed to discuss his tour, reported The Daily Star.
“[Fahed] told me that he would dedicate enough time to help the prisoners in a humanitarian and legal framework,” Alama, who has at least 2.3 million followers on Twitter, said on his feed.
“I ask God to help me assist the prisoners, particularly those oppressed whose detention has been far too long,” he added.
Keeping up with his duties as UN Ambassador, Alama will be taking part in the music festival “Colors of Lebanon,” under the festival’s motto “It’s our right to differ and our right to agree,” reported Elaph news.
