According to the London daily Elaph, the Yemeni artist Arwa refused to accept the award that was given to her by the “Middle East Music Award” (MEMA) which is given out annually. The award was divided between Arwa and the Iraqi artist Shatha Hasoon. 
Through a phone call to Arwa’s business manager Haifa Faqih, her manager said that Arwa’s refusal of the award wasn’t because it was divided between her and Shatha Hasoon, but due to the fact that she was considered as a rising artist. Arwa questions the award and how could it be possible that she wasn’t considered an artist, especially since she had released five albums.
Arwa says that it doesn’t mean since she sang for the first time in the Egyptian dialect that she is still a rising artist. She is considered among the best artists in the Gulf countries; therefore, she has the right to refuse the award.
Due to her refusing to accept the award, Arwa has been denied from participating in all the award ceremonies for MEMA in the next three years.
© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
