Saad Lamjarred Embroiled in New Controversy Over Concert Attire
Saad Lamjarred, the Moroccan pop star, is once again at the center of controversy following his recent concert in Dubai. The singer faced backlash over his choice of attire, a "reimagined" djellaba, which some critics disparaged as resembling a "maternity dress." This sparked a wave of mockery on social media, with many arguing that such clothing does not align with the image of a globally recognized artist.
HASSAN BENYOUB 
Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred found himself at the center of a social media controversy following a concert in Dubai. The cause of this uproar? His choice of attire, a "reimagined" Moroccan djellaba, which was harshly criticized by a portion of the audience.Some internet users likened the djellaba to a "maternity dress," openly mocking the singer.
Others expressed their disapproval, feeling that such sartorial choices did not befit the status of an internationally renowned artist like Saad Lamjarred.In response to these criticisms, the artist clarified that the djellaba in question was a creation by one of his stylist friends, an attempt, according to him, to modernize the traditional Moroccan garment.Lamjarred continues to face justice in France. The events date back to October 2016.
While in Paris to give a concert, Saad Lamjarred was arrested and incarcerated following a complaint for sexual assault filed by a 20-year-old woman, Laura Prioul. The alleged victim had consistently and precisely described the events that took place in the singer's hotel room.
On February 24th, the Paris Assize Court sentenced the Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred to six years in prison for rape and aggravated violence.
Despite these legal troubles, Saad Lamjarred remains a popular figure in Morocco and across the Arab world. His music, which blends Moroccan dialect with a variety of styles including American pop, Arab pop, Moroccan music, hip-hop, rap, Moroccan rap, raï, Arab music, and Egyptian music, has earned him a large following. He is credited with popularizing pop music in the Moroccan dialect, which is known to be difficult for Middle Easterners to understand.
Lamjarred has also faced controversy in Egypt, where a hashtag calling for his exclusion from the country trended on social media after he announced his intention to appear on the popular TV show "Sahranin".
However, his fans rallied behind him, launching a counter-hashtag declaring him "a red line."As Saad Lamjarred continues to navigate the challenges posed by his legal battles and public controversies, his music remains a source of pride for many Moroccans and Arabs who have followed his rise to fame.
The artist's ability to blend traditional and modern elements in his work has earned him a unique place in the regional music scene.
