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- Sweet Tala
- BBC – Ramallah
Published image, AFP
Sama was arrested on Sunday after organizing a party at Nabi Musa shrine in the occupied West Bank.
Human rights activists and groups call on the Palestinian Authority to release Sama Abdel-Hadi, the musician known as the “Palestine Techno Queen”.
Sama was arrested on Sunday after organizing an event at Prophet Musa’s shrine in the occupied West Bank, where there is an Islamic shrine, a mosque and a hostel.
She said she had obtained the necessary permits from the Ministry of Tourism to shoot a film that included scenes from techno parties.
But some religious Palestinian Muslims said the opportunity was “disrespectful”.
The sanctuary is the burial place of the prophet Moses.
The incident sparked social tensions, which were reflected in social media.
Some people wrote online that they found it “insulting” that techno music was shown on a religious site despite the fact that Sama had the required permits. Others called for more freedoms and expressed hope for greater diversity among the Palestinian population.
Activists calling for Sama’s release launched an online petition signed by tens of thousands of people.
Published image, AFP
The shrine is the burial place of the prophet Moses
Meanwhile, critics of the Palestinian musical group are praying near the Nabi Musa mosque. Videos were also posted on social media showing people breaking and burning the hostel’s furniture.
The director of the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights, Ammar Dweik, said Sama told him that the use of the Nabi Musa shrine in photography was suggested by the Tourism Ministry.
He told the BBC that she had also confirmed that she “had no intention of harming the feelings of any religious group.”
Dweik said he viewed Sama’s arrest as a “mistake” that should be overturned.
Shawan Jabareen, director general of the Al-Haq Foundation for Human Rights, condemned the arrest in a statement posted on the organization’s Facebook page.
He said the authorities should “classify and define tourist places”.
Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh, who attended a ceremony at Prophet Musa’s shrine last year after the completion of the European Union-funded renovations, has formed a committee to investigate the incident.
Published image, Getty Images
Palestinian Muslims prayed at Prophet Musa’s shrine after what happened.
On Tuesday, the PA refused Sama’s request to release her on bail and extended her detention for 15 days.
Sama’s family told the BBC that they hoped the investigation committee would release the results of their investigation on Wednesday or Thursday.
Since March, the Palestinian Authority has renewed the 30-day state of emergency in the occupied West Bank, which has been declared to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Critics have expressed concern about restrictions on freedom of expression under the emergency law.
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