- Title: ISRAEL: Israeli Arab singer holds concert to mark International Women's day
- Date: 9th March 2009
- Summary: MURKUS SINGING VARIOUS OF MUSICIANS PLAYING INSTRUMENTS VARIOUS OF MURKUS SINGING
- Embargoed: 24th March 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Israel
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA8E5BVT907Y9F1VUY1EJC3CQQV
- Story Text: Israeli Arab singer Amal Murkus holds a concert to mark International Women's Day. Her music tackles Arab women's issues in Israeli society.
Israeli Arab singer Amal Murkus held a concert to mark International Women's Day on Sunday (March 8) in the port town of Acre, in northern Israel.
Murkus has a strong social agenda and is a fervent advocate of empowerment for women, frequently criticising Islamists for what she considers their sexist attitudes and their role in subordinating women. She has incurred the wrath of clerics for her outspoken opinions, some of whom have tried to pressure followers not to attend her concerts.
According to Murkus, certain concert hall owners have received death threats for inviting her to sing at their venues, resulting in last minute cancellations.
Ahead of the concert on Sunday night, Murkus highlighted the importance of education in empowering women.
"Women can develop themselves, fight for their rights, educate themselves. Education doesn't mean holding a certificate. If a woman reads, listens and learns from all the different cultures of the world, she can become self-confident, just as mastering her native language can give her confidence. Women shouldn't fall for the silly issues that are constantly aired on satellite channels, that focus on looks instead of content," she said.
The notion of womanhood imbues her work and she takes inspiration from family members, like her mother and grandmother.
"When we talk about "Woman", for me it is my grandmother, or great grandmother, because I feel that I am a continuation of them, through my body and soul. I carry their emotions, their nostalgia, their sadness, and I send their message to women across the world. That is what inspires my songs," she said.
Murkus was born and raised in the Arab town of Kafr Yasif in the Galilee. She has been promoting Palestinian music and culture since her career kicked off in 1979. Recently Murkus has sung more Palestinian folk songs, a means of maintaining her cultural identity as a Palestinian living in Israel.
Murkus has sung live with Israeli singers and her first album "Amal", which also means hope in Arabic, was released by the Israeli label Hemisphere. It was produced by Alon Olearchik and featured Israeli musicians. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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