CAIRO: Famous Egyptian singer Shaaban Abdel Rahim is weighing in on Barack Obama s US presidential win with a new song warning Obama fans in Egypt that President George W. Bush s successor may prove something of a letdown.
Abdel Rahim, best known for his hit single in Egypt I hate Israel, says in his new song: We hope that Obama won t be like Bush; that son of a crazy woman, the English-language Egyptian Mail reported on Tuesday.
But he adds: Now Bush is gone, and Obama has come. So what? Palestine is still occupied and Iraq is destroyed.
He goes on to caution, Neither Bush nor Obama will be your mama.
Abdel Rahim s song was penned after Obama s victory received a mostly warm welcome in the Egyptian press and among many Egyptians after eight years of Bush s unpopular presidency.
Do not expect Obama to be your future hero, or a new Saladin, Abdel Rahim sings, referring to the 12th century Muslim ruler who fought to expel the Crusaders from Jerusalem.
Abdel Rahim s best known hit from 2003, in which he sang I hate Israel, but I love (Egyptian President) Hosni Mubarak because of his big mind, led fast food chain McDonald s to cancel an advertisement featuring him. -AFP
