"Humiliating Budget".. Ali Al-Hagar announces his withdrawal from the Arab Music Festival for the first time

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Hours after the withdrawal of singer Mohamed Tharwat, singer Ali Al-Hajar announced his non-participation in the Arab Music Festival for the first time in 30 years, revealing the real reason behind his decision.

Al-Hajar said in a post this morning, Thursday, on his Facebook account: "I apologized for participating in this year's Arab Music Festival, and this is the first time I will not participate since the festival's inception."

He added: "The real reason is that the Opera House approved a weak and humiliating financial budget for the accompanying musical band, which I could not accept, and this is the truth that the head of the Opera House ignored to mention in the press conference."

The great singer continued: "It is strange that the head of the Opera House mentioned that during his tenure I held concerts at the Citadel Festival and in Alexandria and on the main stage of the Opera House, which I have been accustomed to for more than thirty years before his arrival, and it is not a favor from him," adding: "He forgot that a respected artist is the one who adds this respect to the Opera House, in addition to the fact that the concerts held by the artist contribute to increasing the financial income from which the artists' salaries are paid, and it is not a favor from the Opera House."

The great singer Mohamed Tharwat announced in the early hours of the morning today that he is withdrawing from participating in the 34th edition of the Arab Music Festival organized by the Opera House, just a few hours after the participation schedule for the festival was announced, which will take place from October 20 to 30 of this year.

Through his official page on the social media platform "Facebook", the Egyptian singer wrote: "My dear audience.. Over 50 years of giving and singing.. I have presented to you what I believe in values, and generations have grown up on my works from children's songs to national and religious songs."

Tharwat continued saying, "I have never delayed in participating in any event that represents our dear country.. My respect for my country, my Egyptian identity, and my Arab identity has always been a principle I do not deviate from," before announcing his surprising decision saying: "Throughout my career, I have not been accustomed to discussing any behind-the-scenes matters in public or through the media and press releases.. But for the first time, I say it clearly.. I will not accept and will not participate in the humiliation of Egyptian art or Egyptian artists."