Moroccan Singer Saida Fikri Cancels Agadir Concert Amid Payment Dispute and Threats

In a statement, Saida Fikri explained the reasons for the cancellation of Saturday’s concert. "It is neither in my principles nor in my values to disrespect the public. I was very happy to reconnect with them. I came from the United States to Morocco, enthusiastic about meeting them, and I have been training all month with my group to present a varied concert, including my new artistic works as well as pieces from my old repertoire and songs that the public loves," she explains.

The Moroccan singer also stated that she refused to succumb to the "blackmail" of the organizer who asked her to take the stage without paying her fee, threatening to tarnish her reputation with the public. "I discovered at the last minute that the organizer had cheated us and had not respected his financial commitments. He tried to force my hand by threatening to cancel the concert and fabricating a story that I had refused to sing because the public had not come in large numbers," assured the interpreter of "Ya Jbal Rif".

Saida Fikri affirms that she refused to give in to the organizer’s blackmail in order to preserve her "dignity" as an artist. "I cannot give in to blackmail and threats, and I cannot tolerate or remain silent in the face of corruption, fraud towards the public and artists, or the commercialization of their symbolic fees," she was outraged, however specifying that her refusal "was not motivated by money". "I am one of the artists who have given the most free concerts or for modest compensation, or for noble objectives and humanitarian causes."

The Moroccan singer insisted that she will not "take the stage until the organizer has respected his commitments," also indicating that she has filed a complaint against the organizer with the authorities in Agadir and that she reserves the right to take legal action to seek compensation for the damages suffered.