Lebanese pop star-turned-Islamic activist surprises fans

BEIRUT: Just a week before Christmas, a former Lebanese pop star and heartthrob turned Islamic activist has released a song about Jesus.
Once adored by women across the Arab world for his warm voice and good looks, Fadl Shaker gave up pop music in 2011, when he became a follower of Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Assir.
He grew his beard and publicly renounced pop music as haram, or forbidden, in Islam. The duo has been on the run from since the summer, when 18 soldiers died in clashes with Assir's supporters.
The song, entitled "Christ is Blessed," has already received more than 50,000 hits. "Christ is blessed and we are all his beloved. He is the bringer of the true faith," Shaker sings softly.