Fadel Shaker's Son Sends a Message to His Father in Prison: "Ya Tayr al-Tayyar"

 

Mohamed, Fadel Shaker's Son, Sends a Message to His Father

Fadel Shaker's Son Sends a Message to His Father in Prison: "Ya Tayr al-Tayyar"

With moving and emotional words, the son of singer Fadel Shaker sent a message to his father. Mohamed, the son of the famous singer who surrendered himself to the Lebanese Army a few weeks ago pending trial, posted a video of his new song, "Ya Tayr al-Tayyar," on his social media accounts yesterday, dedicating it to his father.

The rising singer, who achieved widespread success in his latest release with his father, also expressed his longing for the imprisoned Fadel through the lyrics of the song, which include, "If you could bring him to me, my tears wouldn't stop rolling down my cheeks." The song also includes expressions of longing and concern for the "beloved," and the weariness of separation.

Trial in December

This came two days after Fadel Shaker's preliminary interrogation session before the President of the Beirut Criminal Court, Judge Bilal Al-Dannawi. The session was limited to formalities in preparation for his trial, scheduled for December 15, 2025. Shaker surrendered himself to the army on October 5, at the entrance to the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in southern Lebanon, in connection with the Abra events that erupted in 2013.

Shaker, born in Sidon in 1969 to a Lebanese father and a Palestinian mother, is one of the most prominent singers in the Arab world. He was known for his romantic works and the warmth of his voice, until he retired from singing in 2012 after becoming close to the hardline Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir. 

In June 2013, clashes erupted between al-Assir's supporters and the army in the town of Abra, near Sidon, following an attack on a military checkpoint. The fighting resulted in the deaths of 18 soldiers and 11 militants, and ended with the army taking control of a compound used by al-Assir and his supporters, including Shaker. The singer then disappeared into the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp, Lebanon's largest.

The military judiciary later issued two in absentia rulings against Shaker in 2020. The first sentenced him to 15 years in prison with hard labor and stripped him of his civil rights after convicting him of "knowingly interfering in criminal terrorist acts committed by terrorists by providing them with logistical services." 

The second sentenced him to seven years in prison with hard labor and a fine for financing al-Assir's group, providing support to its members, and securing the cost of weapons and ammunition. Shaker had previously pleaded not guilty through his lawyers, asserting that he did not participate in the firing on the army during the battles known at the time as the "Abra events."

"How Are You in My Time?"

In recent years, Shaker's appearances have been limited to media appearances and a few musical works. However, he has recently released new songs that have gained widespread popularity, including "How Are You in My Time?" performed with his son, Mohammed. The song has garnered 113 million views on Shaker's official YouTube channel since its release last July.