Sidon, Lebanon – September 11, 2025 – Security tensions flared in the Al-Mansheya neighborhood of Ain al-Hilweh campโ in Sidon today following an attempt by a group of young men โto setโฃ fire to the home of Lebanese artist Fadelโค Shaker, according to reports โfrom Lebaneseโ media outlet Liban Dibite โand local โคsources.
The incident stems from objections to Shaker’s recent return to the โartistic scene. sources identified Mohamed Gamal โHamad, โrecently released from prison and known forโ impulsive behavior, and Mahmoud mansour, a leader โคwithin the “Muslim Youth” institution, as participants in the attempted arson.
Shaker has resided in Al-Mansheya for severalโ years. While his return to music initially โคdrew criticism from some militant groups operating inโค the area, sources indicate the dispute extends โคbeyond religious objections to his profession. These groups allegedly received monthly payments from โคShaker for protection within theโ neighborhood โand reportedly increased their financial demands following his โrecent โartistic success.
The โincident is being described โby sources as aโข pressure tactic to extract increased “alternate” or “monthly” โpayments from Shaker.
Prominent wanted individual Haitham Al-Shaabi intervened to de-escalate theโ situation, leading โto โฃa meeting with stakeholders. A preliminary agreement was reached allowing โShaker to complete his current album commitments, โฃwith the understanding he will cease โคperforming artistic activities within โthe camp afterward.
this is not โฃthe firstโข time Shaker has faced threats related to his artistic endeavors. together, observers have noted โขa recurring pattern of media scrutinyโ and the resurfacing of past controversies coinciding with Shaker’s successes, prompting questions about the motivations behind these campaigns.