Shakira Defends Islam in Duo with US Singer

Famous Colombian pop star Shakira has agreed to perform a duo with Arab-American singer Dania Youssef, with the lyrics of the song focusing on defending Arabs and Islam, in addition to promoting world peace, according to press reports.

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, simply known as Shakira, will write the English lyrics herself. Egyptian composer Mohamed Saad will write the Arabic part of the song and compose the music, reported MBC website.

The song seeks to counter the stereotyping of Arabs as terrorists in the western media. The song also is supposed to spread the culture of tolerance, as opposed to the current prevailing wars and tensions around the globe.

An American director is supposed to produce the song, to be filmed in the United Arab Emirates. The MBC report said the audience will watch the unique artistic work by the end of the year.

Shakira is a Colombian singer-songwriter of Lebanese and European descent. In 2001, she broke through into the English-speaking world with the release of Laundry Service, which sold over thirteen million copies worldwide.

Youssef is an American of Arab descent, who studied Arabic music for three years. She is getting ready to release her first album in Arabic by next October. The album is titled “Qalb Tani” (Another Heart).
From Arabia.net

Ever since I watched the video of her Ojos Asi (eyes like these) song, and in spite of her middle name, liked Shakira a lot. I have a lot of respect for her musical talents (she writes the music & the lyrics of all her songs in Spanish, English, or both). I liked her even more when I found that she had solid political views and that she expressed those views in her concerts (although to be honest, the only thing that I was thinking of throughout her concert was "I wish I could belly dance that well"). Now , just for fun, check out this article, but please do so today (before Ramadan starts):

Shakira's "small and humble" assets draw $3,000