Fairouz Should Go To Damascus

Politicians who are asking the Lebanese singer Fairouz not to sing in Damascus should be ashamed of themselves.

Today, PSP’s Akram Shehayyeb publicly asked famous Lebanese singer Fairouz not to go to Damascus to perform in a theatrical production, Sahh el nom, which will be part of the cultural events marking the selection of Damascus as the cultural capital of the Arab world in 2008.

The anti-Syrian MP’s argument that the Lebanese diva should not perform in front of Lebanon’s “jailers” is embarrassingly nonsensical.

The fact that Syria’s ruling regime is reprehensible is no excuse for us to indulge in petty, childish and ultimately backfiring stances. What cause is Mr. Shehayyeb serving by punishing a people for their ruler’s choices? 

Mr. Shehayyeb’s posturing doesn’t even make political sense; why risk losing a Lebanese symbol like Fairouz to the pro-Syrian camp, and paint the March 14 movement in fascist colors?

Mr. Shuhayyeb bordered on racism when he said that “Damascus being named as the new Arab cultural capital for 2008 is a total masquerade”. Syrian cultural production has been particularly prolific this year (think beb el hara), and Syrian artists deserve all the praise they should get. That includes sending Fairouz to sing for them.