Egyptian singer Ehab Tawfiq decided to postpone the release of his upcoming album, which was due to be out mid-summer, after being halfway through recording most of the songs. The singer's decision was a step towards showing solidarity with the Iraqi people who are living the nightmare of a US-led war.
According to the London based Elaph, the singer stressed that he will halt all activities regarding his singing career. He added that every singer should respect that fact that innocent people are being murdered and their homes destroyed and therefore should refrain from holding any sort of entertainment. The singer added that he had cancelled all previously scheduled performances in the Arab world and abroad.
Tawfiq was on a tour around the US and Canada alongside Lebanese singer Nawal Al Zoughbi. Ehab's concerts featured a collection of his old and new songs have proven great success with a large number of Arabs attending.
Ehab was accused of making rude comments about Tunisian women in an interview on public TV, an instance which caused an outrage in Tunisia. A large number of Tunisian singers and actors sent a letter to the Ministry of Culture and the committee of International Music Festivals to ban Ehab Tawfiq from performing in Tunisia. The request came after Tunisian newspapers reported inappropriate verbal attacks made by Ehab against Tunisia and Tunisian women.
In response to the allegations, Ehab sent a letter to the Minister of Culture denying all accusations made by Tunisian newspapers that stated he made rude comments concerning women in Tunisia in an interview held on an Egyptian TV station.
The singer expressed his utter distress at such insinuations saying he could not find any explanation behind what has been written. He added that he had not said a word regarding Tunis or it’s citizens and his proof is the recorded videotape of the interview. To prove his innocence, Ehab sent the videotape along with the letter to the Minister in order to clear his name, adding that he only holds respect for Tunisia and it’s people and would never under any circumstance refer to them in any negative way. –Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
