Doha – The organizing committee of the National Apple Forum in Midelt has announced the cancelation of Algerian singer Cheb Bilal’s concert, originally scheduled for October 19, following a wave of criticism on social media.
The decision to cancel the performance comes after numerous Moroccans expressed their disapproval of Cheb Bilal’s participation in the event, citing the singer’s previous comments that were deemed offensive.
In a 2016 interview with Algerian channel Echourouk, Cheb Bilal stated that he would turn down Moroccan citizenship even if it were offered to him for free.
Additionally, the singer had previously refused to hold the Moroccan flag during one of his performances at the Mawazine festival, further fueling the controversy.
These remarks were widely circulated and criticized in the following years.
In response to the public outcry, the organizing committee issued a statement confirming that they had received several calls and criticisms regarding the singer’s participation.
As a result, they decided to cancel the concert and instead invite local and national artists to perform at the event.
The National Apple Forum, held under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, in coordination with the prefecture of Midelt, is set to take place from October 16 to 19 under the theme “Sustainable development of the apple sector in mountainous regions.”
Moroccan singer Said Senhaji, one of the most prominent names in the Moroccan music scene and widely popular among audiences, has been announced as a replacement for Cheb Bilal.
The controversy surrounding Cheb Bilal’s participation in the event has sparked a broader discussion about the inclusion of Algerian artists in Moroccan festivals and events, with some activists expressing their discontent over the high fees paid to these performers while many Moroccan artists face marginalization and exclusion from national festivals.
