Head of the Egyptian Musician Union, Muneer Al Wasmi has stated that Lebanese singer Rula Saed will remain banned from singing in Egypt until she stops airing the song “Ay Dah Ay Dah” (What is this), which rights were given to Lebanese singer Haifa Wahbi.
Muneer stated that the decision to ban Rula is due to her determination of airing the song which legally does not belong to her. Muneer said that the Union’s duty is to protect rights of singers and stand by their side and denied rumors that the decision was made to please Haifa.
According to the London based Elaph, the Union had taken its decision before Rula’s recent scheduled performance that was cancelled at the last minute and everything was done legally.
During a phone interview with Kareem Abi Agha about the legality of the song in question he stated that there is a lawsuit that is currently being looked over in Lebanese courts in addition to a lawsuit filed in Egypt by Haifa, but no legal decision has been made giving the rights to either singer.
Therefore according this fact, Rula has not broken any law in Egypt and the only court sentence she faces in Lebanon is a temporary one stating that Rula cannot air the song in Lebanon until the matter is settled.
The decision in Egypt to ban her is considered not legitimate and such a decision should only take place if the singer was found guilty. Muneer’s demand to bring Rula in for questioning is unclear since the matter is still unsettled.
