JEDDAH, 10 January 2003 — Following the refusal of a number of top Saudi singers to participate in this year’s Doha Musical Festival as a result of continuing political tension between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, Kuwait’s famous singer Nabil Shuail has announced that he too is withdrawing from the annual concert.
Despite generally refusing to answer questions, the Kuwaiti singer did respond to rumors that he is turning down the invitation from the annual Doha Musical Festival.
“Let me make things clear because many people are still confused,” he told reporters. I will not partake in this year’s Doha Musical Festival and I have told this to the Qatari committee in charge of the concert.”
He added that there were two reasons behind his decision.
“First of all, I am standing with the Saudi singers in what you might call an act of solidarity. Due to the strong relations between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, it is right for us to support the Saudi singers. Then there is the fact that they only asked me the Saudi singers refused.”
Earlier, leading Saudi singers such as Mohammed Abdu, Abdul Majeed Abdullah, Rabh Saqr and Rashid Al-Majed turned down the invitation from the festival because of the political climate.
