Friday, Mar 23, 2012
Gulf News
Muscat Objections by students against the presence of Lebanese diva Nancy Ajram have compelled organisers of the seventh Muscat International Film Festival change the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies at the eleventh hour.
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 announced the change through full-page advertisements in local dailies.
Over the last few days, a campaign had been launched through the social media website Twitter and local online forum Sablat Oman, against the staging of concerts at the SQU Grand Hall.
The Facebook page campaigning against the SQU Grand Hall hosting the singer, dubbed the Britney Spears of the Arab world, got over 70 ‘likes’.
Unconfirmed reports also said that a section of the students had warned the SQU management of “stringent protests” if they did not bar the event from being held at the university.
The campaign, through social media and local online forums, appeared to be quickly spreading.
A Shura member from Liwa, Dr Taleb Al Maamari, also objected to the presence of Ajram at the SQU.
“It is not good that [the] 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 change the venue to Al Bustan Hotel to avoid any controversy.
Osama Abd Al Latif, a prolific Tweep, who goes by the handle Muscati, also 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.
Loss of revenue
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.
Al Latif pointed out that all over the world, universities hold music concerts and venues are controlled by the student unions.
He reckons that it would be a waste of a venue built after spending millions of Omani riyals.
Lashing out at those who said Ajram’s concert was against the culture and stature of the venue, he asked: “What is a 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).
By Sunil K. Vaidya?Bureau Chief
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
