Amman – Norma Nemaat
Singer George Wassouf has announced that he is pro-Bashar Al Assad’s regime, claiming his stance to be honorable and patriotic. In a press conference at the Regency Hotel in Amman, hours before his performance at Jerash Festival, George was asked about his opinion on the current events in Syria, to which he responded: “I am pro the Syrian regime, and consider my stance an honorable one because it shows my patriotism for my country.” As for criticism against him regarding these views he said: “it makes no difference to my life.” Wassouf said that the Jerash Festival means a lot to him because he very much loves and appreciates Jordan. When asked about his opinion on the high fees that artists ask for nowadays he would not say how much he is charging to perform at Jerash; but he said that he personally reduced his fee as he believes that Jerash Festival has a huge importance in the Arab world. Previously, George was asked about the artists who copy him, and his response was published in a magazine by a number of members of the press, where he commented: “I don’t know why they would want to copy me? My voice is busted.” He did however say now that he was only joking and didn’t really mean anything by it. He also said that the song that came out during the Syrian revolution titled “Gossip on the internet doesn’t make a difference”, sung by Kazem El Saher (in reference to George’s song) is only a joke and has not affected their relationship; “God forbid [there would be any tension] I love Kazem.” Reporters had to wait for over an hour at the Regency Hotel until Wassouf arrived, which definitely annoyed them. However, it did not upset one of his fans who was waiting for him who said: “I love you so much, you’re the best.” Another Palestinian fan told him: “Palestinians love you” and then she began to cry. He replied: “God willing Palestine will return to us and we will then sing in it and visit Jerusalem.”