Are you serious? That’s probably what pop star Helene Fischer will be asking herself, because a song she sang together with some children is now causing a stir. It is reminiscent of Islamic prayer and should not be made fun of.
Helene Fischer recently released an album of children’s songs. One of them is the well-known ‘Aramsamsam’. According to several media reports, this song has been criticised for some time because it allegedly translates the Arabic language into gibberish. Critics say that the movements that are danced to it mock Islamic prayer.
Last Thursday, the pop singer posted this song and dance with some children on her Instagram channel. ‘I think the choreography for my show is ready! Which of you will be in Düsseldorf on December 6 or 7 for the recording of the show?’ she wrote. One commenter says that the song is not about tolerance and diversity. Another, on the other hand, writes: ‘This children’s song should now be sung as an anthem in every beer tent.’ Let’s see how long she is allowed to sing this beautiful children’s song with the kids.
I keep thinking about the murder of Theo van Gogh by an Islamic fundamentalist, and all the violence that erupted after French newspaper Charlie Hebdo released the cartoons which triggered violent riots around the world by Muslims who claimed the paper had committed “blasphemy.” Charlie Hebdo’s office was firebombed and in 2015 two Algerian brothers entered the offices and opened fire, killing 10 and wounding 11. These are only a few examples of how the Muslim world responds whenever they are “offended.” I’m very concerned that Helene could be targeted next.