CAIRO, 5 September 2007 — The dispute over a recent ban by the Syrian Artists’ Union against several Arab singers on the charge of what it considers indecent dress is ongoing, according to reports in the Arab press. Syrian singer Asala Nasri said she wanted to make an inquiry into the circumstances that prompted Sabah Obeid, chief of the union, to issue the ban order. In response Obeid said that Asala was not in the blacklist, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported yesterday.
Handlers of Lebanese singer Elissa brushed aside reports that she’s reportedly mentioned in the list of banned performers by pointing out that she has no intention of performing there whether she’s on the list or not.
Lebanese singer Haifa Wahbi and Egyptian singer Ruby, who are also allegedly banned from performing in Syrian, have not commented on the matter.
However, Muneer Al-Wasaimi, head of the Egyptian Artists’ Union, said since Ruby was a member of the Egyptian union he would ask for an explanation from his Syrian counterpart if Ruby wishes to make an official complaint.