PARIS: A French Muslim singer who became an overnight star after dazzling judges on a TV talent show quit the contest Friday after coming under fire for past Facebook comments about terror attacks.
Mennel Ibtissem, a 22-year-old student who wears a head wrap, was one of the top contestants on “The Voice,” where her English and Arabic version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” caused a sensation.
But within days of Saturday’s performance she was under pressure to bow out over old Facebook messages that appeared to question the terrorist nature of attacks that claimed scores of lives in France in 2016.
The posts have been deleted but screen grabs of the remarks have been circulated on far-right websites.
The singer had apologized over the remarks but the apology failed to quell the controversy.
With private broadcaster TF1 under pressure to pull her out of the competition, including from relatives of the victims of the Nice attack, she quit on Friday.
“I never meant to hurt anyone and the mere thought that my remarks hurt others hurts me, so I have taken the decision to quit this adventure,” she said in a Facebook video that has been viewed more than over 860,000 times.
The production company behind The Voice, ITV Studios France, said that despite her earlier apology the atmosphere on the show had become “too heavy” and hoped her decision to withdraw would “soothe tensions.”
But some of her fans expressed disappointment, amid allegations of anti-Muslim bias.
On Ibtissem’s Facebook page, Jihene Ferchiou wrote: “We must not delude ourselves. Your turban, your religion, your origins were the obstacle.
“Clearly we have reached an unprecedented level of racism in France. It’s a disgrace.”
Muslim singer forced to quit French show ‘The Voice’ amid backlash
Muslim singer forced to quit French show ‘The Voice’ amid backlash
Pakistan, Azerbaijan navies eye stronger defense ties, training cooperation
- Azerbaijan Naval Forces Commander Rear Admiral Shahin Mammadov discusses regional security with Pakistan Navy chief in Islamabad
- Pakistan and Azerbaijan have stepped up defense engagement over the past few months as Islamabad’s tensions with New Delhi persist
ISLAMABAD: Senior officials of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces (ANF) and Pakistan Navy on Tuesday pledged to strengthen bilateral defense ties and enhance cooperation through trainings, the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
The discussions took place when ANF Commander Rear Admiral Shahin Mammadov called on Pakistan Navy chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf at the Naval Headquarters in Islamabad.
Both officials pledged to further strengthen and diversify the scope of the existing bilateral defense relationship between Baku and Islamabad, the Pakistan Navy’s media wing said.
“During the meeting, both leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, regional maritime security situation and avenues for enhanced cooperation in training and defense,” Pakistan Navy said.
As part of the official itinerary, Mammadov laid a floral wreath at a monument at the Naval Headquarters which honors fallen members of the Pakistan Navy.
Both countries have stepped up defense cooperation in recent months after Azerbaijan, along with China and Türkiye, openly supported Pakistan during its brief military confrontation with India in May 2025.
Ashraf visited Azerbaijan in August 2025 where met Mammadov to hold discussions on bilateral naval cooperation. The Pakistani navy chief called for enhanced engagement through exercises and training exchange programs.
The two nations have also increased economic engagement, with Pakistan seeking large-scale foreign investment to shore up its economy and strengthen energy security. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week said Pakistan was close to finalizing a $2 billion investment agreement with Azerbaijan.
