Lebanese singer Haifa Wahbi has cancelled her participation in an enormous event that took place in Italy. The singer had apologized for not being able to attend the event, in which she was to sing alongside internationally well-known singer Shagy.

Haifa stressed that she turned down the participation based on the recent decision she made of not holding any form of entertainment event either in the Arab world or abroad due to the recent suffering her country, Lebanon, underwent during its war with Israel.

The singer stated that she will only return to holding performances when all the effects of war are gone and life in Lebanon returns to normal.

According to the London based Elaph, in complete secrecy, Haifa donated a very large sum of money for reconstruction of southern Lebanon, which is where the most damage caused at the hands of the Israelis. A large portion of the money was given to the town of Mahrouna, which is where the singer is from.

Haifa has also vowed to financially support a number of families that have lost their homes and will be providing temporary shelters for them from her own expense.

On a different note, Egyptian Parliament member Radi, from the Islamists party, has withdrawn his request that Egypt ban both Lebanese singers Haifa and Nancy Ajram from holding any performances in Egypt.

Radi first submitted his request due to his party’s disapproval of the singers’ seductive attire, claiming it may provoke inappropriate thoughts and behavior.

The Islamist party changed its position after the patriotism both stars exhibited by refusing to perform or engage in any entertainment activities while their country is under attack by Israel. Radi stated that he considered the decision of Nancy and Haifa to be a noble one that reflects their true character, reported the London based daily, Al Sharq Al Awsat.

Haifa welcomed the decision not to ban her and Nancy, and thanked Radi for showing consideration and understanding of the message she and her colleagues are trying to convey in support of Lebanon.

Recently Haifa appeared on the Egyptian satellite television channel Nile TV to host a special two hour program to raise emergency funds to help support Lebanese civilians injured by the Israeli raids.

Haifa asserts that Lebanese artists can play an important role, whether from within Lebanon or outside to help their country during this crisis. The singer fled from Lebanon through Syria a few days after Israel invaded.

Egyptian Parliament member Radi, from the Islamists party, has withdrawn his request that Egypt ban both Lebanese singers Haifa Wahbi and Nancy Ajram from holding any performances in Egypt.

Radi first submitted his request due to his party’s disapproval of the singers’ seductive attire, claiming it may provoke inappropriate thoughts and behavior.

The Islamist party changed its position after the patriotism both stars exhibited by refusing to perform or engage in any entertainment activities while their country is under attack by Israel. Radi stated that he considered the decision of Nancy and Haifa to be a noble one that reflects their true character, reported the London based daily, Al Sharq Al Awsat.

Haifa welcomed the decision not to ban her and Nancy, and thanked Radi for showing consideration and understanding of the message she and her colleagues are trying to convey in support of Lebanon.

Recently Haifa appeared on the Egyptian satellite television channel Nile TV to host a special two hour program to raise emergency funds to help support Lebanese civilians injured by the Israeli raids.

Haifa asserts that Lebanese artists can play an important role, whether from within Lebanon or outside to help their country during this crisis. The singer fled from Lebanon through Syria a few days after Israel invaded.

Since the war began all music festivals, concerts and entertainment activities in Lebanon have been either cancelled or postponed. The first cancellations were the annual Ba’albak Festival and a play by Lebanese diva Fairouz called “Sah ElNoum”. The Baiblos Festival has also been postponed to an unknown date, and has refunded ticket sales.

Lebanese and other stars have notified festival administrations in Jordan and around the Arab world they will not be able to take part in this year’s events due to the situation in Lebanon.

Although many reprots said that Haifa Wehbe left Lebanon aboard a private jet hours after the sad events started, she says that she did what thousands of Lebanese did to save their families.

Haifa Wehbe defends her actions by saying: ‘It angers me that people thought that I was a sell-out! But it was an instinct that made me take my sister & mother & leave, because I wanted to save them!’

Haifa’s apartment is just meters away from the Beirut airport, & the night it was bombed was hell for her & her family!

According to her, they took the road to Syria & arrived at Damascus after hours of fear & danger.

Wehbe appeared on Nile TV last week, as she participated in a special program & talked about the circumstances in Lebanon.

This program entitled Ishar Ma3ana -stay up with us-, was dedicated to collecting donations for the Lebanese people.

Haifa Wahbi appeared on the Egyptian satellite television channel Nile TV to host a special two hour program to raise emergency funds to help support Lebanese civilians injured by the Israeli raids.

According to the London based Elaph, sources revealed that Haifa asserts Lebanese artists can play an important role, whether from within Lebanon or outside to help their country during this crisis.

Haifa fled from Lebanon through Syria a few days after Israel invaded.
Since the war began, all music festivals, concerts and entertainment activities in Lebanon have been either cancelled or postponed. The first cancellations were the annual Ba’albak Festival and a play by Lebanese diva Fairouz called “Sah ElNoum”. The Baiblos Festival has also been postponed to an unknown date, and has refunded ticket sales.

Lebanese and other stars have notified festival administrations in Jordan and around the Arab world they will not be able to take part in this year’s events due to the situation in Lebanon.

Artists throughout the Arab world have cancelled performances out of respect for the Lebanese people who are suffering. Most artists are finding it impossible to hold performance in such times, while many Lebanese artists are unable to leave Lebanon.