Tunis - Nébil Zaghdoud
Popular Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram said she was not upset with comments made by the Tunisian Minister of Culture, Al Mahdy Mabrouk, who said Nancy could only perform in Tunisia’s Carthage and Hammamat music festivals over his dead body. In an interview with the private Radio station Mosaic FM, Nancy said: “I’ll not reply, I’ll let my audience take care of that,” adding: “I don’t respond to that kind of provocation, I love all people and I have no problem with anyone.” While the Lebanese star said she understood the Tunisian Minister had the right to make such decisions, she said that she was a regular guest at the Carthage Music Festival and that she greatly missed the event. Despite Mabrouk’s comments, Nancy vowed to return to Tunisian festivals: “I know the day will come when I’ll get to sing on the Carthage stage again in the future.” When asked about the rising power of Islamist movements across Arab Spring-affected countries, Nancy said she was not worried:: “I have no fear at all. I believe that it’s up to people to decide who they want to lead them. The people who rebelled against injustice and dictatorship in the first place can protest again if anything threatens their freedom in the future.” Nancy Ajram also defended her decision not to dedicate a song to the Tunisian revolution, saying: “I’m a Lebanese, Arab singer and I can’t sing for each country.” Nacy explained: “I love visiting Tunisia – the best concerts of my career have been performed in Tunisia – but if I were to dedicate a song, it would not be about the revolution or politics, it would be about my love for the Tunisian people.”