Lebanese singer Fadl Shaker Lebanese singer Fadl Shaker participated in a Salafist demonstration on Sunday in central Beirut against the Syrian regime.The Lebanese artist said to journalists during the protest: “I have come here specifically to express my solidarity with our people in Syria. It is an honour to participate in a demonstration against the Syrian President Al-Assad. My career is of no importance if compared to this cause.”
Shaker sang religious and patriotic songs, after he kissed the head of the Salafist cleric Ahmed Al-Asir, who called for the protest.
Shaker delivered a speech where he reiterated his support for the Syrian people against the regime: \"Everyone should participate in this sit-in to support our oppressed people in Hama and Homs...it is my duty and I\'m honoured to be here.\"
Shaker said in an interview with Lebanese TV channel LBC during the demonstration: “Everyone who has dignity and religious belief should participate in this.”
He described Assad as a “criminal”, while denouncing Lebanese artists who supported the Syrian President.
“May God treat them the same way as He will treat Al-Assad,” said Shaker.
Lebanese politician Fayez Shokr had earlier said: “Weapons were seized from Fadl Shaker’s car and also from supporters of imam Al-Asir...Shokr is trying to establish himself as a leader in Islamist politics.\"
While on a phone call held later with colleague Gamal Fayad, Shaker said, “What was said is laughable, I have a licence from the Lebanese army which allows me to hold such weapons, reports of finding the weapons in my car are ridiculous. It seems that Shokr wanted to convey that I was transporting artillery and rocket launchers in my car.\"
\"As for what was said on the TV channel Al-Jadeed that I have become Fadl Shaker Al-Absi (a relative of Shaker Al-Absi, leader of the extremist Fatah Al-Islam), such are the words of those who are not used to respecting the other opinion, and do not know what it means to believe in a cause. This lacks professionalism,\" said the singer.
\"I will file a lawsuit against Al-Jadeed about this. I expressed my position openly. It is unfortunate that some journalists are so superficial. I will say nothing more except that God is there and we believe in Him and we are needless of testimonials from others that say we are right.”
Shaker continued: “Al Jadeed\'s claims that I had a brother who belongs to Jund Al-Sham and was killed while he was fighting for Fatah Al-Islam are not true. My brother is a believer and he is alive. Such rumours will not make heroes of them and we will meet soon before the judiciary to see who is saying the truth and who is the liar.\"
He also denied reports the he was Palestinian, saying: “I am not Palestinian, I wish I was, but I am Lebanese with a Lebanese father and grandfather”.