The Egyptian Music Union has refused permission for Iraqi singer Kathem El Saher to bring along 14 Iraqi musicians to his upcoming concert in Egypt.
The concert is taking place tonight, September 10, at the Marina Club in Cairo.
According to the ‘Aljumhuriah’ newspaper, composer and distributor Hani Mhana said that “singer Kathem El Saher, whose rise to fame came at the hands of his Egyptian audience, has repeatedly attacked Egyptian artists,” charging that the singer “had always taken a political stand with Iraq.”
Mhana added “Kathem has made various unfair requests for tonight’s performance, including the fact that he wants his 14-man strong band to accompany him, although there are Egyptian musicians that can do the job.”
“This is not the first time that Kathem has tried to politicize music,” he said.
Another attack against the Iraqi singer came from musician Salah Azzam who said that “the fact that the head of Egyptian Television, Suheir Al Atrabi, has agreed to these 14 musicians, is illegal. This is because the musicians would enter the country with tourist visas, and not work visas.. Therefore, if they perform in tonight’s party, it is illegal, whether they are paid or not.”
The currant fiasco marks the third time Kathem El Saher is booked to perform in the Marina Club. Kathem’s performances usually result in a very large audience and a high rating, by both Egyptian or general Arab audiences -Albawaba.com.
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