Fans have rallied around Mohammed Abdu after a performance in Jeddah on the weekend went viral.
The veteran Saudi crooner, known for Khaleeji music staples Masa' Al Khair and Al Amakin, was visibly emotional during a stirring rendition of Shabeeh Al Reeh at the newly built Jeddah Super Dome on Thursday.
Translated to “Just like the wind,” Abdu choked up half way through the track as tears streamed down his face.
Footage of the performance was shared on social media amid fans and colleagues, expressing support for the revered singer.
Emirati singer Ahlam, who often referred to Abdu as the “master of the Khaleeji song” tweeted: "What made you shed these tears from pain? You broke all our hearts."
Saudi composer Fahad Al Nasser described the performance as an example of the soulful nature of Khaleeji music.
“The Arabic song cried last night and arose the Gulf melody (with its) emotion,” he posted.
Egyptian composer Walid Fayed leading the orchestra in Abdu's concert, described the stirring concert as a triumph.
“An honour for myself and orchestra to stand beside this great giant, Mr Mohamed Abdu in one of the most beautiful and greatest artistic evenings in Jeddah," he tweeted.
A song of anguish
Released in 2008, Shabeeh Al Reeh is about some of the pains and anguish we go through.
Composed by Sadeg Al Shaer, the sprawling verses are full of metaphors with life viewed as a voyage through stormy seas until we reach the serenity of salvation.
"My heart is like a tired boat and you are the wind," Abdu sang. "I am tired of trying to reach the shores of your sweet nature… I'm tired of collecting the pain of all things from the ports as I embrace your phantoms.”
Saudi Arabia’s booming concert scene
Abdu's performance comes as part of another weekend of star-studded concerts in the kingdom.
On Friday, Lebanese pop-stars Nancy Ajram and Assi El Hallani teamed up for joint performance at the four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre.
The shows continue a resurgence of the live events sector in the kingdom.
Last month saw Egyptian pop stars Amr Diab and Mohamed Hamaky also performing at the Jeddah Super Dome; while Lebanese stars Elissa and Wael Kfoury, in addition to Syrian singer Assala Nasri and Kuwait’s Nabil Shuail performed in Riyadh.
The concerts come after the General Entertainment Authority announced new safety protocols for events.
Released in May, some of the measures include requiring all those in attendance to be fully vaccinated, a 40 per cent capacity for outdoor events, social distancing of 1.5 metres and the wearing of masks.
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
