Algerian singer launches penitence campaign

A "repentant" Algerian singer is set to launch a "faith campaign" to talk other singers into following his example as the holy month of Ramadan, Islamic month of fasting, approaches.

Rai singer Cheb Djeloul announced his new "faith campaign" that aims at convincing "sinners" to renounce their licentious lifestyles and live a life of virtue. Focusing on celebrities, commonly seen as living a life contradictory to Islamic teachings, Djeloul warns of "dying in sin" or dying before repenting.

Working now as a religious chanter, Djeloul has quit performing in night clubs and has stopped singing songs with provocative words, a drastic career shift the performer attributed to a personal experience.

"Through my songs, I corrupted lots of youths, especially teenagers," he told Al Arabiya.

Two years ago, his best friend died of a heart stroke, which made him think of dying young and thus decided to change his lifestyle and become closer to God.

"I woke up in the middle of the night and prayed to God that he changes me and make me repent," Djeloul explained. "The next morning, I started with destroying my cell phone chip and changing my acquaintance."

Djeloul said preaching to other singers to quit their careers and remove sexually provocative messages and words from their songs is part of his own atonement repentance.

In 2007 Djeloul managed to convince many singers to perform the daily prayers on regular basis. Cheb Anwar, another Algerian singer known as the Jewel of Tlemcen for the clarity of his voice, has joined Djeloul's calling.

"I do intend to repent in Ramadan," Anwar told Al Arabiya. "I will not stop singing, but I will start religious chanting. My hope is to become a prominent religious chanter."

Through my songs, I corrupted lots of youths, especially teenagers

Cheb Djeloul, Algerian singer

A new career

Despite the new career shift, Djeloul said he has not lost his fans.

"I gained new fans. Now I go to cafes and decent restaurants and offer advice about how to lead an Islamic life," he said.

In the holy month of Ramadan, which falls in the last week of August, Djeloul is set to release an album of religious chanting and will hold religious concerts in the northwestern city of Oran.

"Legitimate Love," is one song featured in the album about love between married couples.

"I used to sing about love between lovers, but now I sing about legitimate love between husband and wife," said Djeloul

(Translated from the Arabic by Sonia Farid)

I used to sing about love between lovers, but now I sing about legitimate love between husband and wife

Djeloul