Egyptian pop singer faces off against Islamic State leader

Several militant pages on social media denounced Egyptian singer Shaaban Abdel Rahim's new song Amir al-Mogremeen (Prince of Criminals) where the popular singer denounces Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Local media reports pointed to Islamic State-affiliated pages on both Twitter and Facebook posting links to the song and calling for the assassination of the renowned singer.

A message on Twitter called for the “head” of Abdel Rahim and claimed that the singer has been hired by the West to denounce the Islamic State and its leader, Baghdadi. Some Islamic State supporters on Twitter have even posted Abdel Rahim's home address, encouraging an attack on the entertainer.

In the song, you can hear Abdel Rahim’s signature melody line with lyrics such as “Oh, prince of criminals, who sent you our way? Who is putting you to work and give you any worth? I can grow my beard like you. But religion is more honorable than all groups like you.”

The 57-year-old shaabi singer is famous for his humorous political songs. He made his big break with Habatal al-Sagayer (I Will Quit Smoking) in the early 2000s, followed by a second hit Ana Bakrah Israel w Baheb Amr Moussa (I Hate Israel and love Amr Moussa), referring to the former head of the Arab League.

“Beheadings are not part of Islam. Don’t play with our army, or else you will get dizzy. You will come to us in a boat. We will get you with a rocket. Instead of making bombs, go grow cabbage and taro,” Abdel Rahim sings to Baghdadi.

Abdel Rahim recently released a song where he praises President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, entitled May God Bless You, Sisi.