In terrifying moments that almost cost the Arab world one of its most important stars, Lebanese artist Wael Kfoury lived the experience of death and life on board a private plane that suffered a sudden technical malfunction at dawn today. Sixty full minutes of terror in the air, as the plane’s pilot was forced to make an emergency landing one hour after taking off from AlUla, in an accident that raises a big question mark about the safety of Arab stars traveling by private flight.
“God will protect us” – this is how Kfoury summarized the extent of the danger he faced, in a shocking video clip that he posted on his Instagram account, in which he appeared talking to the pilot of the plane, who informed him of the need to return. Captain Mohamed Saleh, the plane’s pilot with twenty years of experience, made the quick decision that saved the life of the beloved star. Khaled Al-Mansouri, a Saudi engineer who was waiting for the concert, describes moments of anxiety: “I almost lost my hope of seeing my favorite star singing again. Fear was controlling everyone.”
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This incident is not the first of its kind, as memory reminds us of a similar incident that occurred with singer Mohamed Abdo in the nineties. The increasing reliance on private aviation, combined with the enormous pressure for technical scheduling among Arab countries, puts stars in real risks. D. Ahmed Fouad, a civil aviation expert, warns: “An emergency landing during the first hour indicates a serious malfunction that could have been catastrophic. This calls for a comprehensive review of safety procedures in private aviation.”
While ten thousand spectators were waiting for the star to arrive for his concert at the International Cedars Festivals, their hearts were beating with anxiety without knowing the extent of the danger that Kfoury had escaped from. Nour Abdullah, one of the organizers of the concert, describes the scene: “I saw fear in the eyes of the audience when his arrival was delayed. Everyone was praying for him without knowing why.” This accident highlights the fragility of the lives of stars and the importance of public appreciation for them, and also raises questions about the need to tighten safety standards.
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Despite his miraculous survival, the most important question remains: Will this accident change the way Arab stars travel forever? Life has taught us that art is stronger than fear, and Wael Kfoury, who released his national song “Rajeeeen” on the same day, confirms that giving does not stop. But this survival requires everyone – stars, organizers, and audiences – to re-evaluate priorities and put safety at the forefront, as art needs its artists alive.
