- Title: SYRIA: Lebanese singer Khalife holds concert for Gaza
- Date: 23rd January 2009
- Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (JANUARY 22, 2009) (REUTERS) KHALIFE SPEAKING TO REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LEBANESE SINGER MARCEL KHALIFE, SAYING: "I contributed with what I could do. I tried to shout loudly and say no against these huge crimes, massacres and this aggressive enemy who destroyed our flowers, our homes, killed our children. At least I was able to say 'No'." DAMASCUS,
- Embargoed: 7th February 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
- Reuters ID: LVA7JKEM5I6W4DNNLEGE9TNEU9E
- Story Text: Lebanese singer and composer Marcel Khalife, held a concert at the Syrian Opera house in Damascus alongside the National Syrian Orchestra on Wednesday (January 21) to show solidarity with residents of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.
The concert aims to raise money for Palestinians affected by the 22-day conflict in Gaza that left more than a thousand dead.
"I contributed with what I could do. I tried to shout loudly and say no against these huge crimes, massacres and this aggressive enemy who destroyed our flowers, our homes, killed our children. At least I was able to say 'No'," said Khalife.
His music work and humanitarian activities have earned him many awards in the Arab World and Internationally.
In 1999 he was granted the Palestine Award for Music, and in 2005 was awarded the UNESCO Artist for Peace prize.
Khalife, 58, has played his music in more than a dozen countries around the world and has written several books about traditional Arab music. His music even featured in several Arab documentaries and Hollywood film Rendition.
Israel's attacks in an offensive it launched on Dec. 27 killed some 1,300 Palestinians and made thousands homeless. Gaza medical officials said the Palestinian dead included at least 700 civilians. Israel says hundreds of militants died.
Ten Israeli soldiers and three civilians, hit by cross-border rocket fire, were also killed in the conflict.
Syrian journalist Joni Abo said he was glad Khalife was active in supporting Palestinians.
"Marcel is an important artistic and cultural icon in the Arab world and he has a big number of fans. Through him, you can attract a large portion of society in the Arab world, even bigger than if there was a traditional celebration to end the year of Damascus as a capital for Arabic culture 2008," he said.
Both Israel and Hamas announced separate ceasefires last Sunday and Israeli troops completed their withdrawal from the Hamas-run enclave hours after U.S. president Barack Obama was inaugarated on Tuesday (January 20).
Obama says pursuing a lasting peace in the Middle East conflict is one of his administration's main priorities. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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