Moroccan Singer Urges Prioritizing Local Artists After Algerian Concert Canceled

In Saïd Senhaji’s eyes, Moroccan artists have more rights to participate in Moroccan artistic evenings than Algerian artists, because Moroccans do not perform in Algeria, while Morocco welcomes Algerian singers. "It’s better that we sing in our country because we don’t sing in theirs," he said in an interview with Madar21.

This week, the National Apple Forum in Midelt canceled the concert of the Algerian singer Cheb Bilal, initially scheduled for October 19, thus yielding to the strong pressure of the Moroccan public. In an interview given in 2016 to the Algerian channel Echourouk, he had claimed that he did not "need" Moroccan nationality. Senhaji assures that he had not followed the offensive statements of the singer against Morocco, its nationality and its people.

"I don’t want to follow them, because I’m not interested, the important thing is that the Sahara is Moroccan and that we pay no attention to any provocation," insisted the Moroccan singer [...] "The Algerian people remain our brother."

Saïd Senhaji replaced the Algerian Cheb Bilal at the Midelt Festival, following the pressure of the public demanding his exclusion, due to his offensive remarks against the Moroccan nationality, and his statement that he did not need to sing in Morocco. A source close to the Algerian singer confirmed that all of Cheb Bilal’s performances in various Moroccan cities had been suspended for the time being. According to him, there are steps to organize an "explanatory" conference for him in Morocco.

Following a boycott campaign launched by Moroccans, the Algerian singer Cheb Bilal, in a video posted on his Instagram, sought to clarify his remarks on Moroccan nationality. He assured that his statements were not intended to offend the Moroccan people, but rather to show that Moroccan nationality would not bring him any additional advantage, given the warm welcome he already receives in Morocco.

The singer apologized to the Moroccan people. "It is impossible that my friends are Moroccans and that I insult their country," he added.