FBI suspicions lead to the cancellation of Nawal Al Zoughbi’s New Year’s Eve concert in Los Angeles

Published December 31st, 2003 - 03:00 GMT

Lebanese singer Nawal Al Zoughbi has announced that her scheduled New Year’s Eve concert in the United States of America has been cancelled. The singer revealed that she had received the initial acceptance for her visa along with her band, but due to strict security restrictions in the US, the visa was delayed in turn making it impossible for her to be in the US on time. Rumors had it that the singer was denied the permit because she had held a private concert in Iraq during the former regime of President Saddam Hussein, a matter that made the FBI hold suspicion against her.

According to the London based Elaph, Nawal revealed that she already has a 5 year visitor’s visa to the US, but it does not allow her to work there, and she must have a working permit in order to hold any form of performance there. Nawal expressed her disappointment regarding the situation but stressed that it is out of her hand and out of the hands of the sponsors of the concert. The singer added that a press conference will be held in order to announce the details regarding the cancellation. The company which was to organize the event made an announcements that it will be refunding the money to all those who bought tickets.

Nawal was to head to the United States of America where she was scheduled to hold a number of live concerts in different cities that have heavily populated Arab communities, in addition to holding a New Year’s Eve concert in Los Angeles California.

Nawal has recently completed shooting her latest music video for the song "Rage’li Leh" (You're Coming Back Why), a new song from her upcoming album which is scheduled to hit stores in the very near future. The clip is directed by the famous Lebanese director Nadine Labki, who also directed the hit songs "Akhasmak Aah" (I'll Upset You), "Ya Salam" (Oh My) and, "Siher Oyounoh" (The Magic of his Eyes) for Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram.

The new video clip was shot in Al Ashrafieh one of Beirut suburbs under the supervision of technical director Yahia Sa’adeh. The clip introduces Nawal in a new look with the help of makeup specialist Elly Fagali and hairstylist Toni Mindaliq. Nawal has been absent from the scenes for some time, since she released her latest album "Illy ITemanaytoh" (The One I Wished For).

Rumors had it that her absence was due to the fact that she had gotten a divorce, which she strongly denied ever occurring. Observers wonder if Nawal’s new album would be a hit after several new singers have appeared in the scenes, as Nancy Ajram, Amal Hijazi, Allissa, and Haifa Wahbi. –Albawaba.com