Film fest venue changed amid anti-Ajram protests

Objections by students against the presence of Lebanese diva Nancy Ajram has compelled organisers of the 7th Muscat International Film Festival to change the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies. The organisers were not willing to give reasons for the change of venue from the 5,000-seat Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) Grand Hall to the 600-seat auditorium at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel but those protesting against the performance of Lebanese singer were rejoicing. The organisers conveyed the shift in venue through a full-page advertisement in the local dailies. However, in the last few days a campaign was launched through social media, micro-blogging website Twitter and local forum Sablat Oman, against the staging of concerts at the SQU Grand Hall. More than 70 people have liked Facebook page to campaign against SQU Grand Hall hosting the singer, who is dubbed as the Britney Spears of the Arab world. Unconfirmed reports also said that a section of the students had warned the SQU management of stringent protests if they do not bar the opening ceremony from being held at the university. The campaign through social media and local forum web sites appeared to be spilling to ground level. A Shura member from Liwa, Dr Talib Al Maamari also raised objection to the presence of Ajram at the SQU. "It is not good that SQU is used for such concerts," he told Gulf News, adding that he would raise the issue in the Shura also. He was glad that the organisers had decided to shift the venue to Al Bustan Hotel to avoid any controversies. Osamah Abd Al Latif did not like the idea of Ajram performing at the Film Festival opening. "It completely distracts from the film festival--film festivals should be about films," he told Gulf News. He said he had no problem with Ajram or others performing at the SQU if it did not distract from the festival. "There is nothing sanctified about the venue (SQU Grand Hall)," he commented. Osamah pointed out that all over world universities hold music concerts and venues are controlled by the student unions. He said that it would be a waste of a venue built after spending millions of Omani riyals. Lashing out at those who talk about Ajram's concert against the culture and stature of the venue, he asked: "What is the definition for culture and who will decide?" Some objecting to Ajram's presence at the SQU tweeted in Arabic that Ajram's dignity was too low for the stature of the university (SQU). A member on Sablat Oman, a local Arabic forum on the net, using the name The Truth posted that concerts such as this were a shame to the university. Last year, self-taught Greek piano master Yani performed at the same venue. There were some objections initially about allowing SQU Grand Hall to be used for his concert but eventually he performed in front of a packed house. The organisers, keen to hold the Muscat International Film Festival smoothly, refrained from commenting on the shift of venue although they face an arduous task of refunding and returning tickets. The SQU Grand Hall can accommodate nearly 5,000 people while only 600 seats are available at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel.