JEDDAH, 19 November 2002 — Saudi Arabia’s top singer Mohammed Abdu and India’s Lucky Ali are expected to collaborate in a joint venture album featuring a blend of Arabic and Hindi music..

This follows a round of negotiations the two singers had here earlier this week. “We’ve met and even played a few notes on instruments to see how we could jointly compose songs,” the Indian pop and playback singer told reporters on Sunday night.

“On my part, I’ll be pleased to collaborate with Abdu. He is a great composer and singer. In fact, I’ve requested Abdu to this effect,” Ali said.

Abdu is one of the most celebrated Arab singers. An artist with music in his veins from early childhood he was not catapulted to fame abruptly or by chance. He nurtured his talent assiduously braving his poor, lonely childhood. He has composed and rendered innumerable songs over the years.

Aside from the musical project, Ali, who performed Umrah and prayed at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, promoted his Oasis education plan that envisages “Each one sponsor one” program.

He explained that the concept of feeder schools that he plans to start in different localities of Bangalore would be essentially meant for children from poor families who cannot afford education.

“I’m only extending former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s concept of “each one teach one.” What I’m advocating is for each rich family admitting its child to the feeder school to sponsor a poor child. This way the ‘haves’ will support the ‘have-nots.’ Poor children will get education and school dropout rate might also minimize,” Ali added.

He said children passing out of feeder schools would join the main school that is projected to be launched in his native Yelahanka, near Bangalore. “An assistance of $372 is required to sponsor a poor student,” he said in reply to a question.

A board of Isra Trust, with Ayesha Masoud as chairman and comprising some leading Indian names, has already been formed to go ahead with the project being spearheaded by Ali’s wife Maimouna, a New Zealander.

During the last few days of his stay here he interacted with the Indian community to enlist its support for the school project.