The singer was among the international stars who performed the “All Together” song, appearing in a music video which displays an African map including Polisario flag.
Rabat – Egyptian popular singer Hakim has issued a statement to apologize to Morocco, football fans, and the Moroccan authorities for the inclusion of the unrecognized flag of the self-proclaimed SADR in the official music video for the 2019 African Cup of Nations (CAN), “All Together.”
The singer, 44, took to his Facebook page to first express his satisfaction with his selection to be among the singers who will perform the official song for the CAN, which will begin today on June 21 in Egypt.
“I was very upset after I received complaints from brothers from Morocco about the appearance of a hostile party in the music video,” said Hakim.
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He added that it is true that there was a “ super fast” intervention to correct the “unintentional error” from the concerned parties, “but I would like to explain that my role was to sing only. I have no relation with the content of the music video”.
“What is more important, I and 99 percent of the Egyptian people only love the Moroccan flag with the green star in a red background. We have never heard of the other hostile side, and we would never imagine the appearance of its unrecognized flag.”
Hakim concluded his statement, saying “long live Morocco, long live Egypt. Moroccan Sahara, Moroccan Sahara, it will always remain Moroccan.”
The video, which was posted on the ticketing system for 2019 CAN, angered Moroccans and the Moroccan government, resulting in a backlash.
Despite apologies from the organizing committee of the CAN for the inclusion of the unrecognized flag, the Moroccan government issued a statement to reject any provocations that would undermine Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The Egyptian Minister of Sports also extended his country’s apologies.
The song, “All Together”, features Hakim along with Nigeria’s Femi Kuti, and Dobet Gnahore from the Ivory Coast. The theme of the song was the diversity and unity in Africa.
