Emirati singer Balqees Fathi sparks Robin Williams Twitter row

Emirati soprano Balqees Fathi performing with the National Symphony Orchestra this year. Courtesy NSO
Powered by automated translation

Emirati soprano Balqees Fathi has found herself at the centre of a raging online debate after she took to Twitter to question the wave of media attention and public sympathy surrounding the death, by suicide, of actor and comedian Robin Williams last week.

Fathi wrote: “I woke up this morning to a ginormous display of emotion for the news of Hollywood actor Robin Williams’ death of depression. Frankly, I did not sympathise with him, and thanked god for the blessing of Islam.”

While some fans did speak out to support Fathi’s point of view, the online reaction was largely negative – but Fathi wasn’t about to back down.

The star posted a second tweet linking to a video of one of Williams’ stand-up routines in which he imagines a jihadist’s disappointment on arriving in heaven to find that, due to a mistranslation, he was met by 71 Virginians and added: “I found this video of him (Williams) ... he mocks the Quran in front of millions for the sake of his Zionist views. I know I am right. I dedicate this to his fans.”

Again, the response was mixed, but leaning towards the critical. Although some fans again supported Fathi – including one who noted that the video would be a “big blow” to those who had criticised her initial tweet and asking “Who gave him right to mock religions” – most were critical, ranging from those who questioned Fathi’s lack of sympathy and understanding of what Williams had gone through, to the more extreme criticisms that can often be found online.

Fathi seems to lose a few fans in the process, too. One tweet noted: “used to love that your Yemeni [Fathi identifies herself as an Emirati of Yemeni heritage on her Twitter profile] but not anymore. Depression is a serious illness. Shame on you. Learn before you speak.”

Fathi may be pleased with all the attention her Twitter feed is receiving, positive and negative – she’s currently using it to heavily promote her new song, DJ.