Maghreb youth mourn Michael Jackson
2009-07-01
Michael Jackson fans in the Maghreb countries share their sorrow with fans around the world. One newspaper reported the suicide of a grieving fan, and Magharebia found another who began a hunger strike when he heard the news.
Jamel Arfaoui in Tunis, Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud in Nouakchott, Fidet Mansour in Algiers and Naoufel Cherkaoui in Rabat contributed to this report – 01/07/09
 [Tim Whitby/Getty Images] Thousands of Maghreb fans mourned the loss of pop star Michael Jackson. |
One fan in Mauritania went on hunger strike. Another fan in Tunisia committed suicide. Other fans wept in the streets, sang and "moonwalked" to mourn the loss of pop star Michael Jackson.
News of the death of the "King of Pop" on Thursday (June 25th) quickly spread around the world. Thousands of Maghreb fans were shocked. Newspapers and websites published Jackson's photos on their front pages. Fans took to the streets, singing his songs and dancing.
"I was immensely shaken by the news of his death," said Nahla, in her 30s.
Nahla recalled how sad she was when she was not able to attend Jackson's concert in Tunisia in October 1996 because the tickets were sold out early.
Jackson was 50 when he went into cardiac arrest on Thursday at his California home, just weeks before the start of much-anticipated comeback concerts in London on July 13th.
The specific cause of his death has yet to be announced.
"This is very sad news," said Ghazi Gherairi. He was luckier than Nahla and attended the Tunisian concert. "I wonder why he had to die now, when we were expecting his big comeback, after a series of legal problems. We were eagerly looking forward to the London concerts."
On Sunday (June 28th), scores of Jackson's fans gathered at the Menzah esplanade for an impromptu tribute to their favourite pop singer. They sang songs from his hit album "Thriller" and performed Jackson's signature "moonwalk" in a group.
RTC and privately-owned Mosaique FM dedicated whole slots to play Jackson's songs. On Sunday night, Hannibal TV channel aired a special 90-minute feature on the life of the late star.
Fans on Facebook replaced their profile images with photos of Jackson. They downloaded, exchanged and commented on his most famous tracks, especially "Billie Jean" and "Thriller".
Algerian daily L’Expression published an exclusive commentary by famous Algerian singer Takfarinas, who met Jackson in South Africa in 1999.
"I heard the sad news like everyone else when I woke up on Friday," he said. "It was the end of the world for me."
Takfarinas said he had to cancel his commitments to give himself the time to mourn. "I wept for Michael like all artists and fans… I would say that it's like losing a planet from our musical universe."
The El Watan newspaper pointed out that the announcement of Jackson's death "caught many by surprise on Thursday evening… It goes without saying that his vocal and musical style have influenced many other artists in hip-hop, pop and R&B."
On Saturday evening, Algerian radio station Channel 3 aired an homage to Michael Jackson upon fans' request. Nassim M'hamsadji, lead singer of Algerian rock group Djezma, played several of Jackson's songs.
On Facebook, Algerian fans are petitioning to get M'hamsadji to perform in live concerts scheduled for July 5th and 11th to pay tribute to Jackson. More than 600 members have joined the petition so far.
"He filled the world with eternal rhythms and attracted generations of people all over the globe," said Mauritanian Mousse Dialo, 28, about Jackson.
Dialo has led a pop band since 1998 and believes that "Michael is the everlasting legend of the age. His music will never die even after ages from now. I was grieved and overwhelmed by the news of the death of this grand diva."
Awlad Leblad, the popular Mauritanian hip-hop ensemble, also expressed their heartfelt sorrow for Jackson's death. Hemada, head of the band, said that Jackson was a creative artist and "this kind of creative artist will definitely leave his mark on whole generations." The group is also planning to release a song on Jackson's life and legacy.
Some fans go to the extreme to show their appreciation of their favourite artists, and their sorrow when they lose them. Papiss, a 22-year-old Mauritanian, went on a hunger strike for five days after hearing the news about Jackson's death. His mother told Magharebia that "Papiss was on his way out with a group of his friends. The moment he heard the news on TV, he threw himself on the floor, burst into tears over the late star and then immediately started a hunger strike."
On Monday, June 29th, the French language Le Quotidien reported that a young woman in Tunis committed suicide, mourning the death of the big star.
"The girl was agonised upon hearing the news," the newspaper reported. "She locked herself up in her room, spent a whole day listening to Michael Jackson's music, and overdosed on medication to take her own life."
In Morocco, Fady noticed that some people judged Jackson by the many scandals in his life. Although his was the life of a music legend, it was also tainted by accusations of child molestation that took him to court twice, where he was deemed innocent.
"He is an artist who is worthy of respect, given all the music he has made over the years," Fady wrote in an online discussion forum. "Despite the scandals that stigmatised his life, he managed to win the hearts of fans across the world."
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coca cola 3amti lghoula Posted 2009-07-01
This is what we needed, mourning for Michael Jackson. You should mourn for the poor who have nothing to eat. They should mourn for those who are in Gaza, Palestine. As to Michael Jackson, he has 100000000.
el-Shinqiti Posted 2009-07-01
Jackson was an exceptional entertainer; he was also the ultimate freak, a bizarre pseudo-human who dangled his child out a window, banging its little legs on the edge as he pulled him back in! The fact that so many Arabs are mourning his death only shows that the Arab inferiority complex is alive and well! Sure, he was found "not guilty" in the child molestation cases he faced (besides others in which he paid small fortunes to get charges dropped. Would any of you allow your little boy to spend a night in Jackson's bed, as they did? I doubt it.) Not to mention the fact that he didn't give a damn for any of us, in spite of his brother's recent conversion to Islam. These people who mourn him think they can somehow be muta'amrakiyin, by acting like (some) americans. They need to get psychological and social help themselves. They need to get a life, and stop slavishly following whatever trends the americans spew out for our consumption!
FARES HRDOS Posted 2009-07-02
We must pray for the King of Pop, the greatest legend on earth because he died in martyrdom. I want to commit suicide for the death of Michael Jackson. I am sorry Michael.
!!!!!!!!!! Posted 2009-07-02
Honestly, this is a big loss- the death of the legend. But I hope from my heart that his fans listen less to his songs because now he is judged in his tomb for everyone who listens to his songs and music. For me, and God is my witness, I stopped listening to his songs. There are many people who listen to his songs now and compound his torture in his tomb. If you really love Michael you wish all the good for him and stop listening to his songs in order not to harm him in his tomb.
fatimazahra Posted 2009-07-02
I am from Morocco and my opinion about the articles of Magharebia is that they are great because I am one of them.
رضوان Posted 2009-07-02
Why don't you mourn yourselves? You who mourn one person, half or a quarter person who spent his life in pleasures and fame instead of crying for millions of poor oppressed people victims of war and poverty, for Moujahids for the cause of God, for soldiers who work secretly in the defense of Muslims and oppressed, those who are responsible, caliphates of God on earth and its real inheritors, those who deserve to own this land. Losing some of them is a loss of part of the land. But instead you cry for those who misguided you from the right, sickened your hearts, spoiled and weakened them, corrupted them. You have corrupted laws but in reality they didn't corrupt but just in your stubborn dark minds. Isn't the best of you the most pious or is it the most famous amongst you in imitating voices of girls or monkeys? May God rest the souls of Muslims. God is forgiving merciful.
moh Posted 2009-07-02
It is true that he is the king of kings. No one would say the contrary. Personally, I am Algerian. This has seriously affected me. I was the DJ at a party where we remixed Jackson's songs for three hours and lit candles. But, committing suicide or going on a hunger strike is just self-abuse.
zozo Posted 2009-07-03
We were also sorry for his loss because he was a great star.
Jamila El Belbali Posted 2009-07-03
I am 49 years old. I speak a bit of English. For some years now I have been distant from and neutral towards both the music and the legal scandals of Michael Jackson. After his death was reported, I realised that a lot of the news was made up. Considering his age, I lost a lot in not showing any real interest in the life and music of this real star. I am both sad and surprise that big stars have on thing in common: early deaths.
فدوى Posted 2009-07-04
Who has died? Is it a preacher, a Moudjahid or reciter of Qur'an? Wake up people! Wake up from the darkness sea. By God, if an animal dies, I would be affected. But I won't be affected for your Michael. What has he left except corruption? May God guide you. May God guide you. God took him and relieved us of him. Hopefully to get rid of others like him.
سعيد Posted 2009-07-04
Oh Lord forgive and pardon us.
مسلم Posted 2009-07-05
God the Almighty says "And there are some among men who take for themselves objects of worship besides Allah, whom they love as they love Allah, and those who believe are stronger in love for Allah" (Al Bakara: 165).
Mourad Posted 2009-07-05
"El Manar: A Michael Jackson Fan Commits Suicide?" Tunis - Le Quotidien. We are led to believe that a young girl from El Manar (Northern Tunis) died Friday evening after having taken a large number of pills. The victim spent the whole day listening to her idol's, the King of Pop Michael Jackson's, music. He was found dead under mysterious circumstances the day before in his mansion in Los Angeles. His tragic death stuck the young girl, who stayed isolated in her room all day long listening and re-listening to the songs of the pop star before the tragedy occurred.
محمد الامين Posted 2009-07-06
We in Mauritania aren't sad for Michael. We are sad for Mohamed Salem Ould Abdelouadoud and Beddah Ould El Bssiri, the prominent Mauritanian scholars who learned Qur'an by heart since they was young. May God reward them with good. They have done many things including lifting the word of God. Michael is rotten like the cadaver of a donkey. Thank you.
اسماعيل المعافي Posted 2009-07-06
Eh people, respect God in yourselves. How many Palestinians, Iraqis, Muslims, kids, women and old men died in wars in a savage way? Has anyone mourned them or tried to commit suicide from grief for these innocents? By God, the attempts of the west to destabilize Muslims from their religion are bearing fruits. Although Islam is very strong in its followers but unfortunately some of these considered Islam a means. We wouldn't have seen this if not for the pleasures and desires in which the Muslim (only by the name) is indulged and which mostly affect him. Oh people mourn about your religion not a man who is not even equal to a mosquito for God. Those who pretend grandeur die small and despised. By God I see the consequence evil and the nation of Islam will reap only evil. So respect the orders of God and He will forgive you.
kim Posted 2009-07-07
I like him. It is a shame he died. I was shocked the day I found out he was no longer with us. I could not believe he was Muslim. I saw his photos on YouTube. I think that all of his songs together are eternal.
شيماء Posted 2009-07-08
I am very sad. From the day I learned about the death of the legend Michael Jackson I can't sleep. When I sleep, I wake up every now and then. I loved him so much. I didn't believe that he abused of children because he was a big child. It is impossible that he did this. I feel shocked as though he was my lover and I lost him. I try to convince myself that he is still alive. When I was watching his funeral, I felt as though he will come out of the coffin and that this is just something new to see the love of people. May God rest his soul and introduce him in his paradise because he entered Islam. I feel that he gave in to death to avoid singing. He was scared about failure after what they did to him. Every person has his ideas and thoughts. Don't judge us for our feelings. Hamas and Fath whose hands are accountable for Palestinian children as there hands are stained with their blood. To all the fans of the pop king, no one can substitute Michael. He is a legend which won't be repeated. However, killers such as Hamas and Fath are always born every day. I am sad. I wished to attend his funeral even if that cost me everything I have. Believe me, I don't know how to sleep. They treated him unjustly in his life and the spiteful are unjust to him after his death. This is unacceptable, he entered Islam before he died. God willing, he will go to paradise. The pop king, prince of sadness, the human who donated $ 35,000,000 to Tunisia. But Arabs eat and forget. There are many ignorant people who speak without knowledge. Every person should find his own faults then look at the faults of others. The brother who talks about Palestian should go to carry out Jihad there. What have you done for them? These are just words. But our love for Michael is in our hearts and will live there as long as we live. Thanks to the fans of Michael. Don't forget him, defend him because he deserves it. I want to know. I don't sleep. May God rest the soul of the king and introduce him to paradise. I pray for him to go to paradise and for his mercy. We don't care about the opinion of people who don't love him.
Alisha Posted 2009-07-08
I am proud of you Michael.You are my inspiration to live with life and enjoy the time that you have to the fullest.I am sad that you left and also happy that God gave 50 years to your life. Rest in peace.Amen.
محمد المنضف Posted 2009-07-08
Would I commit suicide for Michael Jackson? No. But, the man was a legend. He loved the power and respected other people, especially the Africans. He deserves for us to think about him. Personally, I respect him even in spite of everything that was said about him. You need to love others.
مرام Posted 2009-07-08
He is dead and the dead only deserves mercy. He is an ordinary persona. What the fans did is an act of fans. Michael was a great person.
titrit Posted 2009-07-09
Oh God, Moroccans want to commit suicide. They haven't even committed suicide for the sons of Gaza or martyrs of Islam and want to commit suicide for a singer.
hafsa Posted 2009-07-10
Whatever! Never will I be saddened by the death of someone who I did not even consider as a person when they were living. This person lived for no reason. Even if his daughter did touch me, I still say, "What did he do with his life?" ...Nothing, of course. Tomorrow, he will be in Hell and he will burn through and through for all that things he did in his life.
رودى Posted 2009-07-18
Michael is my first and last love. His love in heart will never die. Since the day of his death, I have a difficulty in breathing. May God rest his soul. Only God is eternal.
Corleone Posted 2009-08-07
There is no God but Allah, and Mohamed is His messenger. We will all leave this planet one day, and perhaps that day is soon!!! So, trust that you will have to answer for yourself on Judgment Day. Instead of crying for this human being because it was his time, mind that yours is close!!! Do not worry about his time, as he does not even think about you before the grandeur of Allah; think about the good and bad things he was able to do on this earth.
سلمى المغربية Posted 2009-09-12
Sure, a real loss for the pop music. Jackson has achieved great things for the pop art. He was the legend of the age and a source of jealousy for many as he won many fans. It is a real injustice to spend his life in courts, in the accused bench while he was innocent. But the release time comes, death comes and deprives us from listening to his voice. The world has danced for so long to listen to him. His music was always the best. To those who hate Michael, believe me try to know him first and then judge. If you don't want this keep quiet. Don't forget he is a Muslim. Remember the good actions of your dead. May God enlighten his tomb and make him one of the righteous martyrs.
sara Posted 2009-10-13
i love you michel
سلمى المغربية Posted 28 days ago
It is certain that the pop king is the world myth. I have many things to say about Michael but I won't. But the funny and sad thing at the same time is that after a period of sorrow for the death of the king of pop, I forgot his death as I forgot the death of many people. I returned to my normal life. But I swear by God when I do so I see him in my dreams. When I wake up, I remember him. So I fell again in sorrow, crying and sadness. I don't know the cause of this. However, it is very nice to dream of him. Dreams are very different from reality.
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