Fadel Chaker
فضل عبد الرحمن شمندر شاكر
Fadel Chaker at a performance in 2008
Fadel Chaker at a performance in 2008
Background information
Birth nameFadel Abdul Rahman Shamander Chaker
Born (1969-04-01) 1 April 1969
Sidon, Lebanon
GenresArabic classical, Arabic pop
Years active1996–present
LabelsRotana

Fadel Abdul Rahman Shamander Chaker (Arabic: فضل عبد الرحمن شمندر شاكر Arabic pronunciation: [fadˤl ʕabdurraħmaːn ʃamandar ʃaːkɪr]; also transliterated as Fadl Shaker, born 1 April 1969) is a Lebanese and Palestinian singer and actor born in Sidon, Lebanon.[1] During his musical career he was signed to Al Khouyoul Records and from 2003 onwards with Rotana Records.

In 2013 and after a career as a singer, Fadel Chaker joined the ranks of imam-turned-terrorist Ahmed al-Assir and participated in the attacks on the Lebanese army which evolved into the 2013 Sidon clash.[2][3] As of 2013, he was a wanted fugitive by the Lebanese government and had hidden in Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp. On 16 December 2020, he was sentenced in absentia to a total of 22 years of imprisonment and hard labour by a Lebanese Military Tribunal.

Background

He grew up in the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian Refugee Camp.[4]

Music career

1998–2011

Fadl released his first album Wallah Zaman in 1998, which had eight original songs. The second album was Baya'a El Qolob released in 1999.

His third album was El Hob El Adem, released in 2000. His fourth album Hobak Khayal was released in 2001. In 2002, Fadl recorded and released his first duo. In 2003, Fadl released his ballad Ya Ghayeb to Arabic radio stations in the Middle East.

2012–present

In 2018, eight years after his announced retirement, Chaker returned to the music world with the release of a new single which he intended to be the introduction theme song to a new Ramadan drama series that year.[5] However, the song was rejected in the end by the production company "in respect to the Lebanese people", and instrumental music was used in the introduction to the series instead.[6]

That same year, he was reported to be working on a new album entitled Yalla ma'al salama.[7]

Islamist militant involvement

In the early 2010s, Chaker announced he had joined ranks of Ahmed al-Assir radical Islamic organization. As of 2013, Shaker was a wanted fugitive and terrorist for his cooperation in the 2013 Sidon clash between Ahmad al-Assir's terrorist group and the Lebanese Army in which Fadel admitted on video to having killed 2 Lebanese soldiers.[8]

Trial and sentencing

After a trial in absentia by the Lebanese Military Tribunal, Chaker was sentenced on 16 December 2020 to a total of 22 years in prison with hard labour. He was accused by the Military Prosecutor General of having provided financial and logistical support to a terrorist group led by Sunni Muslim hardline cleric Ahmed al-Assir. 15 years of the sentence is for his "involvement in terrorist acts". The judge also added 7 more years of hard labour for Chaker's financing of Al-Assir's illegal armed group, with the court satisfied that he had personally paid for weapons and ammunition to the group. Chaker was reportedly still hiding as of 2020 in Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon since the unfolding of military confrontation of Al-Assir's group against the Lebanese Army.[9]

Discography

Albums

  • 1998: Walah Zaman [Al Khouyoul Records]
  • 1999: Baya' El Oolob [Al Khouyoul Records]
  • 2000: El Hob El Adeem [Al Khouyoul Records]
  • 2000: Sahrat Tarab [Master Melody]
  • 2001: Hobak Khayal [Al Khouyoul Records]
  • 2003: Layali Beirut [Rotana Records]
  • 2003: Sa'at Tarab maa Fadl Shaker Rotana Records
  • 2003: Sidi Rouhi [Rotana Records]
  • 2004: Saharni El Shok [Rotana Records]
  • 2006: Allah Aalam [Rotana Records]
  • 2009: Baada Aal Bal [Rotana Records]>

References

  1. ↑ Stephan, Laure (20 August 2013). "How Fadel Shaker went from torch singer to firebrand Salafist". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  2. ↑ Chulov, Martin (24 June 2013). "Lebanese troops say they have overrun cleric's compound after days of fighting". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  3. ↑ Amin, Rula (15 July 2013). "Lebanese singer joins Syrian rebels". Youtube.com. Al Jazeera English. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  4. ↑ "الرئيس عباس يمنح الجنسية الفلسطينية لـ"فضل شاكر"". Al Arabiya. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "Fadl Shaker returns to singing through Ramadan series intro". 8 May 2018.
  6. ↑ "Fadl Shaker is Back: Is it Good or Bad News?". 9 May 2018.
  7. ↑ "Fadl Shaker to release new album 'Yalla ma'al Salama'". EgyptToday. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  8. ↑ "Lebanese singer becomes wanted fugitive after joining militant clashes". Telegraph. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  9. ↑ Timour Azhari (17 December 2020). "Lebanon court sentences singer Fadel Shaker to 22 years in prison - The Lebanese pop star turned hardliner was sentenced in absentia for providing support to a 'terrorist' group". AlJazeera. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
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