“Do not sing for the murderers of my beloved Jamal. “In an open letter published on Sunday by the Washington post, Hatice Cengiz, widow of journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi, urged Justin Bieber not to sing in Saudi Arabia. The Canadian artist is announced at a show on December 5, in Jeddah, on the sidelines of the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
On October 2, 2018, Jamal Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul (Turkey). The kingdom was then the subject of international condemnation.
“Send the powerful world message to the world that your name and your talent will not be used to restore the reputation of a regime that kills its opponents,” Hatice Cengiz urges Justin Bieber. “Please speak out loud and condemn his killer, Mohammed bin Salman [le prince héritier, qui nie toute implication]. Your voice will be heard by millions of people. (…) If you refuse to be a pawn of Mohammed ben Salman, your message will be clear: I am not performing for a dictator. I prioritize justice and freedom over money. “
David Guetta and Jason Derulo also on the bill
“Saudi Arabia has a habit of using celebrities and the organization of major international events to distract from its abuses,” Human Rights Watch said last week. This organization recalled that several personalities, including Emily Ratajkowski and John Cena, have refused in the past to perform in Saudi Arabia, citing a concern for human rights.
On December 5, besides Justin Bieber, several artists are announced on stage in Jeddah, among them, A $ AP Rocky, Jason Derulo and David Guetta.