name: Julien G. Rouhana
country: USA
comment: We do all support here in Boston Marcel Khalife's cause, and we regret that we still have in Lebanon after 20 years of war people with such imature mentality, we would like to draw their attention that music is love, freedom and a way to express ourselves to the others... Marcel khalife is praying when he sings "Ana Youssef ya Abi", so get down to your knees and listen to his prayer. May Peace be upon you, and God Bless. We all support you.
Tuesday, October 26, 1999
name: Youssef Chamas (Proud Lebanese so please let's keep it that way)
country: Canada
comment: I don't think Marcel has commited a crime. I am moslem and I am a big fan, as my whole family, of Marcel Khalife music. He used this expression "y a Abi Ana Yusuf" from a poem and not from the Quoran directly. so if it is Ok to put this expression in a poem why it is not ok to say it in a song. Secondly, this expression has nothing against Islam. So let's stop the nonsense and with my all respect to our justice system, I think Marcel Khalife should be rewarded for his effort to present the Arabs' most important problem through his all life so far. Is that how we reward our outstanding citizens not to mention artists.
Tuesday, October 26, 1999
name: Fatme Mroue
country: Belgium
Tuesday, October 26, 1999
name: maysaa naqss
country: Belgium
Tuesday, October 26, 1999
name: wafaa nasser
country: lebanon
Tuesday, October 26, 1999
name: amin chaya
country: lebanon
Tuesday, October 26, 1999
name: maysaa nasser
country: England, UK
Tuesday, October 26, 1999
name: tarik ESSAADI
country: Marrakech / MAROC
comment: JAMAIS ON NE PEUT ETEINDRE UNE VOIX LIBRE...JAMAIS. Souhaites nous bonne courage, TOI TU ES DEJA LIBRE IL Y A PRESQUE UNE ETERNITE...
Tuesday, October 26, 1999
name: Reem Bakir AbuKishk
country: Palestine
comment: Marcel's unique ability to touch our lives with his tunes and songs has rightfully inspired many to respond at this call. The number of people who can say they have provided inner strength to hundreds of thousands of people world-wide are few! Marcel should stand proud and tall, for he has done just that. It is time to put an end to the religious 'McCarthyism' that keeps popping out at us. Religion is about toleration, respect and believe it or not, creativity, it is definitely not about terror!
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: may habib
country: lebanon
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Amin Habib
country: Lebanon
comment: Hey, Mr.Marcel Khalife, we're behind you all the way. Inshallah, everything will turn out O.K!! I'm sure it will!! good luck!!!
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Dr. Walid Saba
country: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
comment: It is outrageous and shameful to continue with this mockery. A treasure of our beloved Lebanon is put on trial? For what? For being the voice of the voiceless, the heart of the heartless, and just about the only bright star that shined out of Lebanon and made the rest of the world wonder: where is this land that gave birth to this 'Human'. Not since Khalil Gibran has Lebanon known such pride in its people. Those orchestrating this trial will be ridiculed by their grandchildren one-day. They should stop their insanity and take off their blind folders.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Jeffrey Soutter
country: Montreal, Canada
comment: "In Germany the Nazis first came for the Communists and I didn't object because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't object because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't object because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't object because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and no one was left to speak out."
-Pastor Martin Niemoller, Dachau, Germany, 1941
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Fuad SALEM
country: Austria
comment: please don't make the only arab country who always welcomed all artist to the hell of art. all arabs all around the world love Marcel and all his songs please make it possible for all of the arabs to be proud of having the chance to express themselves freely at least in one country of the arab world. don't kill the new lebanon. give it a chance to become more democratic
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Rachad Antonius
country: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
comment: Bravo ! I congratulate you for your initiative.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Lubna Ghneim
country: Palestine
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Thamer Alsafar
country: Canada
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: K E K
country: U S A
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Layal El Abdallah
country: Canada
comment: Instead of attempting to muzzle Marcel's voice, he should be honoured for being one of the most brilliant artist/composer and most ethical activist of his time.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Bassem Dibbs
country: USA
comment: It is a shame that at the turn of a new millennium Lebanon chooses to take ten steps backward instead of leaping forward to face the upcoming challanges. We will not stand silent while the basic human rights are dismantled in Lebanon. Long live the freedom of expression in Lebanon.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Karen Kalou
country: Beirut, Lebanon
comment: Marcel Khalifeh made it a mission to dedicate his career, for one cause. HE is the voice of the people, He feels Lebanon (and Palestine), and if he is made guilty, then the whole nation would be guilty too... No one can deprive this nation of Marcel Khalifeh, he is needed, wanted and loved.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Bisan Abu-Roqti
country: Ramallah-westbank
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Halleh Founouni
country: Wales
comment: This is absurd and sickening. When will the warped religious fanaticisim stop strangling the beauty of freedom of the lebanese, which i believe (having been a resident there for 18 years) are rising with the new generation to higher standards in creativity and open mindedness.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Nadia Munla
country: Lebanon
comment: It is sad to see Lebanese teardown the symbol of our unity in the time when we need it most... to fight outside enemies such as Israel... we do not need this internal rivalry... marcel khalifeh is the embodiment of this unity, and to see him persecuted is to see our unity behind bars.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Richard Reilly
country: USA
comment: Marcel is truly a treasure for not only the Lebanese and Palestinian resistance,but for the Arab nation and those around the world who value human rights and authentic national self-determination. His is truly the voice of the voiceless.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Ali Mallah
country: CANADA
comment: The trial of Marcel is ours.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Ahmad El-Kays
country: Canada
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Ameena Sultan
country: Canada
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: SUHA AWWAD
country: the United States of America
comment: We cry and whine all the time about the aggression and what we have been through and how superior powers got a hold of us and our culture and rendered us backwards and kept us from growing, etc, etc, It seems like no one but our very own governments who keep us backwards the whole world is moving forward and we, my friends, are keeping ourselves at --not the same level-- millions of steps far far away from any sort or smell of civilization. So let's not blame the rest of the world for our problems, let's look a little closer and have the courage and guts to say it as it is. As far as religion goes, in my opinion, God created religion to liberate human beings from ignorance, and add wisdom, values, morals to their brain ,and LOVE to their hearts; while "some people" got the definition of religion BACKWARDS I suppose. Marcel, you are a rare gem and from the bottom of my heart I truly sympathize with you & with my Arabic World.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: aaron shive
country: usa
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Baraa
country: palestine(arab 1948)
comment: we all with you, Marcel
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Jana Sukkarieh
country: Britain
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Sandra Chehab
country: Canada
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Murad Subeih
country: JORDAN
comment: I hereby pledge my full support to Mr. Khalife, I never liked his music very much, nevertheless I have a lot of respect for him as a musician and a person for he's a living example that music in the arab world is not only about shallow relationship, but could be utilized for expressing the hopes and dreams of all arabs everywhere.
I don't think using verses of the Koran is Haram,I'm a muslim and I think that if he uses it for useful purposes then that's fine, anyway we use the world Allah in our songs all the time, and we swear in the name of our loved ones instead of god.
It's time to worry about serious issues concering the arab end. Good luck to Mr. Khalife, and I hope that he will once again
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Lojain Y. Abdo
country: Canada
comment: Azizi Marcel: in each minute you should be sure that we, all Arabs and especially the Palestinian,
love you
love you
love you FOR EVER.
bikhlas,
Lojain Y Abdo (Um Ahmed)
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: George F. Freije
country: United States
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Linda Khalid
country: Canada
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Lutfiah Milhem
country: U.S.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Casey Kroh
country: United States
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: kamal Hakim
country: lebanon
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Rajasvini Bhansali
country: USA
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: ehab haj-qasem
country: Canada
comment: I just wanna say to Marcel, keep on singing we are with you. all the freedom lovers are with you.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: aboul-noun
country: lebanon
comment: - this guy was born with the oud between his hands, just hope it stays there -
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: ehab haj-qasem
country: Canada
comment: I just wanna say to Marcel, keep on singing we are with you. all the freedom lovers are with you.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Hatem Bassam Abu-Hijleh
country: Jordan
comment: THANK YOU FOR THIS WORK AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEE MORE WORKS RELATED TO YOU. BEST REGARDS
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Shahab Ahmed
country: Egypt
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Dana al-Sajdi
country: Egypt
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Lina Haramy
country: Palestine
comment: It is a tragedy that the capital of culture in the arab world decides to limit the works of such a an artist as Marceil. I do not believe this is just about the song, for the poet who wrote the lyrics has not been humiliated so. i wish that as many people sign this petition so that this will truly be a just trial.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Marcel Kurpershoek
country: Holland
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: hanna l. elias
country: Los Angeles, USA (currently in Palestine)
comment: Marcel is a pillar in Arab entertainment through music, a great composer and singer. A sensitive Arab man. We ought to give him the best we can, and stand firmly by his artistic expressions.
Hanna Elias/ Filmmaker
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Basel Burgan
country: Jordan
comment: Good Job.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: BASEL W. BURGAN
country: JORDAN
comment: I STRONGLY PROTEST THE HUMILATION OF MY SOLE LIBERATOR.
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Oqab Mohamed
country: United Arab Emirates
comment: freedom of expression is the justice
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Fadi Berro
country: United States
comment: I am shocked and appalled by the charges brought against Marcel Khalife. In a country where serious artists seem to be scarce, Marcel stands out as a source of pride and creativity for many of the Lebanese abroad. Our government has far too many serious problems to tend to instead of wasting time and resources on such a ludicrous and unfounded charge. By the way, "Ana Yousef Ya Abi" is one of my all time favorite songs.Please stop this charade!
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: Alireza Azizi
country: USA
Wednesday, October 27, 1999
name: John Faraj
country: USA
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Nikolai Haddad
country: australia
comment: The music of Khalife achieves awakenings.. It is so rare to be loved popularly and respected criticaly. This will outlast any reactionary sentiments that come not from the people but a conservative elite.
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Dhafer Laouini
country: USA
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Shireen Assaf
country: Palestine
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Nasser Fayad
country: Richmond, VA USA
comment: As one of hundreds of lebanese young people who grew up on your songs & shared with you the same dream about the democratic & progressive lebanon you have all my support & sympathy.
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Khaled Benwalid
country: Canada
comment: The charges against Marcel Khalife are an affront to every Arab and every human being who espouses freedom of thought for writers and intellectuals.
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Nadeen Tarazi
country: USA
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Fadi Bishara
country: Syria
comment: it sadens me too much to learn about this.. god bless!
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Habib DEBS
country: Lebanon
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: George Issa
country: USA
comment: When is enough !!!
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Mar1
country: Palestine
comment: Marcel, Keep going ... We are all with you... Always be "Montasiba Alqama"
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Ahmed Lobad
country: New Mexico, USA
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Issam M. Raad
country: LEBANON
comment: I strongly support Marcel for I have no choice, Marcel represents a distinctive generation of freedom fighters and pioneers.
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: zuhaira sabbagh
country: nazareth palestine
comment: marcel khalife all of us stand next to the last wall either we fight to defend ourselves or we collapse I in the name of Alphiniqe in Nazareth have the honor to give solidarity to you and to your case through our humble activity from our own site the name ofthe activity " aljidar alakhir " the last wall the palestinian political singer Rim Banna had participated in this concert where she sang some of your songs marcel khalife you are the salt of the earth , the yeast of the bread we are with you although we are the minority in the Arab world an the minority are always the torche that enlighten the way in this black long night
alphiniqe Nazareth
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Tha'er Qub'a
country: Jordan
comment: We find the charges against the Lebanese musician a flagrant violation of intellectual freedoms which should be guaranteed to all artists world wid
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Khader Abusway
country: Palestine
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Mahdi Tahhan
country: Palestine
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Ziad Elkhalil
country: Lebanon
comment: I believe that there has been a great misunderstanding behind Marcel's use of certain lyrics in his artistic work. It is indeed disheartening to learn that many a Lebanese continue to live their lives ever waiting for an opportunity to disgrace religion in the name of upholding religion. It is ironic but sad to see our country embrace medieval thinking and revive the dark ages of the 70's and 80's, all at a time when the rest of the world is literally around the corner to close the chapter on a century that was full of human miseries. Have we not learnt anything? Do we not wish to learn anything?
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Morgan Kays
country: Beirut, Lebanon
comment: Irony at it's greatest. A man who once believed and supported the country Turns on him today. In a time of war, the people are there for the country...... In the time of peace - the country isn't there for the people. But not us - the fans, the brothers. His music still remains....Thank you Mr. Khalife'
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Riham
country: Palestine
comment: they think that they can stop and limit our thinking but they are wrong we will continue thinking and no one has the right to restrict our thoughts. we are with you, we'll not accept that something bad hurts you.
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Ruba
country: Jordan
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Geoff Mock
country: USA
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Ranya Renee
country: New York City, USA
comment: I was lucky enough to meet and work with Marcel at the Arabic Music Retreat this August. He's a kind and gentle man, in addition to being a gifted artist and patient teacher. I'm grateful to have the chance to learn more about his legacy and his importance to the worldwide Arab community. Thank you, Marcel, for your encouragement. Now my thoughts are with you.
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Daed Khoury
country: Canada
comment: I am a Lebanese Canadian who will eternally cherish her motherland for its beauty, culture and music. I will eternally cherish my adopted country for its freedom and human rights. Please let me remember my motherland for its adopted freedom and human rights. Please have mercy on Marcel Khalife.
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Marie-Kathrin Breyer
country: Austria
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Yolanda Lemus-Page
country: California, USA
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Janette and Michael Brenner
country: USA
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Dina
country: USA
comment: You have our full support. We are behind you 100%.
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Carolina Varga Dinicu - MOROCCO
country: New York, NY USA
comment: It is not just a matter of import for freedom of expression in Lebanon, which certainly IS important enough, it is a matter of freedom of speech & expression world-wide. What are those people using for brains & heart?
http://www.tiac.net/users/morocco
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Jessica Haldane
country: Canada
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Jeanette Cool
country: United States
comment: As the wife of a Palestinian musician, Georges Lammam, who lives in the diaspora, and as a musician myself, I wholly support an artist's right to create fully and freely. I am shocked and deeply hurt at the response of the government prosecuting one of their GREATEST artists. This act wounds certainly the artist, Mr. Khalife, but also our country and our rich cultural heritage.
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Georges Lammam
country: United States
comment: As an Palestinian musician (violin) who lives in the disapora, I wholly support an artist's right to create fully and freely. Having been born in Lebanon, I am shocked and deeply hurt at the response of the government to one of our GREATEST artists. This act wounds certainly the artist, Mr. Khalife, but also our country and our rich cultural heritage.
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Elias El Hayek
country: Honduras
comment: It's a shame for our country, the pioneers in art and freedom of speech!
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Amal Obeid
country: U.S.A
comment: This is sad. Lebanon is nothing without it's national heroes. It is not as great as we like to think it is. What have we got to identify ourselves with if not for our great thinkers?? What is left of the bond that pulls us back to the country we love?? Nothing. If not for people like Marcel Khalife, Lebanon is Nothing. What else is there to make us proud of our country?? Is it the polluted air? Is it the disgustingly polluted sea? Is it the deforestation of mountains? Is it our beautiful and well planned roads? Is it our remaining 400 Cedars? Is it our night-clubs? Is it our 'classy french' speaking people? Is it our TV channels? Is it our 5-cents- worth singers? Is it Casselik? Is it M3ameltehn? Is it our imported artistic talents?? I certainly don't think so!
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: rana feghali
country: USA
comment: It is a shame that a talented, secular artist lke Khalife be even considered blasphamous. What happened to the lessons fron the war? didn't we realize Lebnon had been eateen up by sectarian rivalries and idioties??!! This has to STOP. NOW.
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Jenin Assaf
country: United States of America
comment: I find it disgusting that this is happening to one of our greatest artists in the Arab world. Ironic that it is "Yusif" isnt it?
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Musa Budeiri
country: Palestine/Israel
Thursday, October 28, 1999
name: Youmna Ahmad Tajrine
country: Canada
comment: It's a shame that our leabanon got to this point.
