Shamma was to play the oud along with Spanish classical guitarist Carlos Pinana in what was billed as a “cultural dialogue” between the East and the West through music. Apologizing to his fans on Twitter, Shamma denied that foreign pressure was the cause of his visa being delayed. “I could not complete my travel procedures. That’s why I failed to arrive in the Kingdom on time,” he wrote. Aramco’s Eid festival is to continue till Sept. 7.