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Al-Ahram Weekly 18 - 24 March 1999 Issue No. 421 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 18 - 24 March 1999 Issue No. 421
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Dogged by rumour
By Zeina KhodrLebanese singer Najwa Karam is categorically denying reports that she defamed Islam by naming her dog after the Prophet. "This is absolutely absurd," Karam told Al-Ahram Weekly at her home in a Beirut suburb. "This is a rumour which has no truth to it whatsoever. I can't believe people have the nerve to make such an allegation."
The tale began last December, when the weekly Fann (Art) magazine claimed in an article that Karam, a renowned artist in Lebanon and the Arab world, told a leading Arab satellite station that she had named her dog after a prophet.
"Could you imagine me saying such a thing even if it were true?" Karam exclaimed. "I have asked them for a copy of that interview to prove I said these things, but they have not given me the cassette, because I never said them."
The singer had filed a lawsuit against the magazine at the time, but less than a week ago, she was shocked to read in magazines that death threats had been issued against her. Some of the reports went as far as to compare her with the British author Salman Rushdie, who has been effectively sentenced to death by a fatwa issued against him by the late Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini, for the book The Satanic Verses, which the spiritual leader claimed insulted Islam.
"One wonders why the issue went to sleep in December and suddenly, a few days ago, the rumour spreads across the Arab world like wildfire," said Karam.
The source of the rumour is unknown. Faxes alleging Karam had insulted Islam and calling for her death were sent to magazines and radios across the Middle East. "I didn't receive any direct threats," said the singer. "Anyway, I am not scared because it was the devil who started this mess, but I am a firm believer in God and when God is with me I am not afraid of people."
Officials in Qatar and Jordan have attacked Karam for her alleged statements. A Jordanian former member of parliament, Riyad Daoud, who called for her death, is expected to ask parliament to ban her from entering the country. "I have no plans to visit an Arab country at the moment because I am working on my new album. But I don't think that I will be barred from entering any country. The Arab people, their governments, the Lebanese and the authorities here believe the accusations against me are false."
Lebanese fans as well as artists have rallied behind Karam. Composer Mansour Rahbani, for one, said those behind the rumours were "jealous of Karam's success". He believed the campaign aimed not only at harming her but Lebanese art in general.
A defamation lawsuit has been filed against those behind the rumours, whom Karam described as "heretics". "The case is now in the hands of the judiciary. We have provided them with our evidence and I have faith that the matter will be taken seriously," Karam said.
