Cheb Khaled: Algerian Raï Icon Faces Alleged Boycott Over Pro-Morocco Stance

Cheb Khaled is absent from many events such as the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2022 Mediterranean Games organized in Oran, Algeria. The latest absence is related to the opening ceremony of the Mediterranean Games. According to Arab media sources, the organizing committee had been instructed not to involve the artist in this sporting event, reports Algérie Focus. Instructions that it has followed to the letter. Thus, the organizers invited Cheb Mami - considered the most prominent competitor of Khaled for the title of king of raï - to the closing ceremony of the Mediterranean Games.

For several years now, many Algerians have been angry with Cheb Khaled, a native of Oran married to a Moroccan, because of his rapprochement with the Moroccan leaders, particularly King Mohammed VI. He also holds Moroccan nationality. In 2019, he had faced criticism from Algerians because of the song he had composed for the Moroccan national team, as part of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN Egypt).

He had also been criticized for the appearance of the Moroccan flag in the music video of the tribute single entitled "Ismouha Beyrouth" ("She is called Beirut") in solidarity and support for the Lebanese people following the deadly double explosion that occurred on August 4, 2020 in Beirut.