Beiruti
April 29th, 2008, 04:01 PM
Haifa's sex appeal shakes up Bahrain
Monday, 28 April, 2008 @ 7:07 AM in Beirut
By Alistair Baptista
Fans of Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe voiced their frustration with a proposal by Bahraini members of Parliament to ban her from a major concert to mark Labor Day on Wednesday.
The MP's threatened to stage a sit-in if Wehbe is not banned, who they described as provocative and immoral. The family-only concert will also feature Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker.
Covering up Haifa
The company's media spokesman Tariq Al Bahhar said the concert wouldn't breach any laws and that the organizers were fully aware of Bahrain's laws regarding concerts.
http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2007/08/25/haifa_mish_adra_2.jpg
http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2007/08/25/haifa_mish_adra_4.jpg
"Haifa will cover up with jeans and a jumper for the show," said Mr Al Bahhar.
"She respects Islamic laws and does charity worldwide. She uses her fame for good things, and even though some people are accusing her of teaching others bad morals, we deny this.
"As Bahrainis, we know the rules and follow them strongly. We have organized shows here before and know the laws.
"Half the company is Bahraini. Why would we want to organize something that isn't correct?"
Mr Al Bahhar said that MPs needed to focus on other things instead of a family concert.
"MPs should concentrate more on other issues instead of just one concert especially since we have always promoted it as a family concert," he said.
"This is not some concert that anyone can walk into. It will be held at an elegant place and VIPs will be there to enjoy the show."
"If certain people find it offensive, they shouldn't go to the concert," said 22-year old Bahraini Nadine Rizk.
"You can't force your opinion on other people. Maybe she isn't the best role model out there, but I think people should have some faith in their children and the way they raise them.
"She isn't forcing other girls to dress like her. Everyone has the right to dress the way they want, as long as they don't offend anyone or break rules."
http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2007/08/25/haifa_mish_adra_3.jpg
"They (MPs) don't like how she dresses in her video clips. They are trying to make trouble for her. But she will just do her concert and go back, so I don't see what's wrong with that.
"The people who do this don't have a right mind."
Bahraini fan Eman Al Alawi said she believed educational reforms were a more pressing issue for MPs.
"People need entertainment and the MPs need to look at something else instead of making a noise about Haifa's concert," said the 22-year-old.
"There are more important things that need to be addressed like unemployment, education reforms.
"Maybe she doesn't dress conservatively, but at the end, it's a family concert and parents wouldn't take their children to something that they thought was wrong.
Bahrain Business women's Society president Mona Almoayyed said she was completely against banning of the concert.
The move may possibly be a hostile act by a competitor and it is damaging to Bahrain's reputation and tourism, she said.
"She is a singer and she isn't going to do anything wrong. She'll come, sing and entertain the people, including Bahraini families as well as families from Saudi who will be coming to see the show," said Ms Almoayyed.
"If they try and take the history of every singer that comes to Bahrain, we will end up with no entertainment.
"If MPs feel the concert is offensive, they shouldn't go to it and should stay at home.
"Haifa is all over the TV and they can't stop people from listening to her music.
"They are leaving these matters and making a fuss just like they did for Nancy (referring to the Nancy Ajram concert that MPs protested to in October 2003.)
"I am completely against their attitude and I think it's against Bahrain's reputation and tourism.
Monday, 28 April, 2008 @ 7:07 AM in Beirut
By Alistair Baptista
Fans of Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe voiced their frustration with a proposal by Bahraini members of Parliament to ban her from a major concert to mark Labor Day on Wednesday.
The MP's threatened to stage a sit-in if Wehbe is not banned, who they described as provocative and immoral. The family-only concert will also feature Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker.
Covering up Haifa
The company's media spokesman Tariq Al Bahhar said the concert wouldn't breach any laws and that the organizers were fully aware of Bahrain's laws regarding concerts.
http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2007/08/25/haifa_mish_adra_2.jpg
http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2007/08/25/haifa_mish_adra_4.jpg
"Haifa will cover up with jeans and a jumper for the show," said Mr Al Bahhar.
"She respects Islamic laws and does charity worldwide. She uses her fame for good things, and even though some people are accusing her of teaching others bad morals, we deny this.
"As Bahrainis, we know the rules and follow them strongly. We have organized shows here before and know the laws.
"Half the company is Bahraini. Why would we want to organize something that isn't correct?"
Mr Al Bahhar said that MPs needed to focus on other things instead of a family concert.
"MPs should concentrate more on other issues instead of just one concert especially since we have always promoted it as a family concert," he said.
"This is not some concert that anyone can walk into. It will be held at an elegant place and VIPs will be there to enjoy the show."
"If certain people find it offensive, they shouldn't go to the concert," said 22-year old Bahraini Nadine Rizk.
"You can't force your opinion on other people. Maybe she isn't the best role model out there, but I think people should have some faith in their children and the way they raise them.
"She isn't forcing other girls to dress like her. Everyone has the right to dress the way they want, as long as they don't offend anyone or break rules."
http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2007/08/25/haifa_mish_adra_3.jpg
"They (MPs) don't like how she dresses in her video clips. They are trying to make trouble for her. But she will just do her concert and go back, so I don't see what's wrong with that.
"The people who do this don't have a right mind."
Bahraini fan Eman Al Alawi said she believed educational reforms were a more pressing issue for MPs.
"People need entertainment and the MPs need to look at something else instead of making a noise about Haifa's concert," said the 22-year-old.
"There are more important things that need to be addressed like unemployment, education reforms.
"Maybe she doesn't dress conservatively, but at the end, it's a family concert and parents wouldn't take their children to something that they thought was wrong.
Bahrain Business women's Society president Mona Almoayyed said she was completely against banning of the concert.
The move may possibly be a hostile act by a competitor and it is damaging to Bahrain's reputation and tourism, she said.
"She is a singer and she isn't going to do anything wrong. She'll come, sing and entertain the people, including Bahraini families as well as families from Saudi who will be coming to see the show," said Ms Almoayyed.
"If they try and take the history of every singer that comes to Bahrain, we will end up with no entertainment.
"If MPs feel the concert is offensive, they shouldn't go to it and should stay at home.
"Haifa is all over the TV and they can't stop people from listening to her music.
"They are leaving these matters and making a fuss just like they did for Nancy (referring to the Nancy Ajram concert that MPs protested to in October 2003.)
"I am completely against their attitude and I think it's against Bahrain's reputation and tourism.