KUWAIT/JEDDAH, 7 August 2006 — As the Israeli aggression into Lebanon continues, Arab celebrities have united and are using their star power to bring attention to the plight of the Lebanese people.
Recently, Lebanese singers Alissa and Nancy Ajram announced they were teaming up and singing a duet in support of their home country, Al-Watan daily reported yesterday. They will perform a song entitled “We Are All Lebanon,” written by Kuwaiti poet Sheikh Duaij Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah. The songwriter explained that he was inspired to write the song after seeing the pain of the Lebanese people and the massive demonstrations that have taken place across the Middle East.
Saudi Actor Hani Al-Saadi announced in Cairo on Saturday that he has abandoned his honorary post as a goodwill ambassador of UNESCO in protest at the Israeli attacks.
The actor made the decision following an appeal made by Lebanese singer Marcel Khalifa, who recently called artists from across the world to leave their UNESCO ambassadorships in protest at the UN’s refusal to stop Israeli brutalities in Lebanon. “I stand by the Arab artists in their opposition to the Israeli savagery in Lebanon and because of this, I regret that I cannot represent the UN anymore as an ambassador calling for peace while the UN ironically adopts a weak stance in relation to Israeli brutalities,” said Al-Saadi, who is currently in Cairo working on a comedy series scheduled to be released this Ramadan.
Al-Saadi is among several Arab artists who have relinquished their ambassadorships. Syrian actors Jamal Suleiman, Duraid Leham and Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmi have also done the same. UNESCO goodwill ambassadors are celebrities who use their talent and fame to advocate the UNESCO ideals of peace and harmony.
