JEDDAH: Riyadh’s long-awaited music concert by Sherine has been canceled, the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA) announced on Sunday.

The concert was set to be held at the end of October as part of the Sanad Children’s Cancer Support Association to support children with cancer.

The GEA, which confirmed the cancelation on its Twitter account, said that the organizers of the event did not apply for a permit for this type of concert.

Moreover, GEA called upon all agencies and companies that wish to organize similar events to reach out to it and obtain the necessary permit in accordance with the applicable regulations and to safeguard the rights of all parties concerned.

Earlier, the #Sherine_in_Riyadh hashtag went viral on Twitter following reported news that Egyptian singer Sherine will give a concert in the Saudi capital.

The director of the Sanad Children’s Cancer Support Association, Reem Al-Hujailan, explained to Makkah Newspaper that “the event is not a concert, but a charity dinner aimed at raising donations for the association through its various supporters and developing the society’s resources through donations and sale of dinner tickets.”

Al-Hujailan expected 400 to 500 high-society women will attend this special event. She pointed out that the occasion is not available by public cards, however through invitations and dinner tickets.

“The priority to buy tickets will be for members of the association and donors. Tickets may be available for sale if some are not sold to members and donors.” Al-Hujailan said.

The association has set the prices of dinner tickets between SR3,000-10,000 ($800-$2,667).

“The concert is not public, and I am concerned that the attendees should be interested primarily in the association and supporting it, not interested in an implied artistic performance,” Al-Hujailan concluded.