Moroccan Singer Saad Lamjarred’s Concerts Spark Controversy Amid Rape Allegations

Can Saad Lamjarred perform in Morocco? On the web, the time has come for the war of petitions. Two petitions have been launched: one by some Moroccan Internet users and the other by the fans of the Moroccan singer. These two petitions are opposed. The first calls for the banning of Lamjarred’s concerts in the country until the end of his trial for aggravated rape of a young woman in France. According to the signatories of the petition, it is unacceptable to allow the singer, accused of several rape crimes and awaiting his appeal trial, to sing in Morocco, while young artists have been arrested for the lyrics of their songs. "Saad Lamjarred still enjoys great popularity and benefits from the support of the majority of Moroccan artists. Despite the serious and recurrent accusations, he is still allowed to give concerts and shows in Morocco. It is an insult to the victims, it minimizes the seriousness of his crimes and encourages the rape culture," they denounce.

The signatories of the second petition take the opposite view. They plead, for their part, that Saad Lamjarred be invited to perform at the 19th edition of the Mawazine Rhythms of the World festival, which will take place from June 21 to 29 in Rabat with international stars such as Nicky Minaj, Mohamed Ramadan and Burna Boy, etc. This plea did not fall on deaf ears. The administration of the Mawazine festival has completed its negotiations with the one nicknamed "lem3allem" so that he sings during the event. The announcement of his concert should be made in the very near future.