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Ivorian musicians 'attack' terrorism in new song

Ivorian musicians 'attack' terrorism in new song

Ivory Coast

Barely 2 weeks after jihadists killed at least 18 people at the Ivorian coastal resort of Grand Bassam, a group of musicians from that country have released a song defying the terrorists.

The song “Meme Pas Peur” meaning “Not even afraid” is a collaborative work by musicians identified as Collectif Bassam.

The video for the song was shot predominantly on the same beach where the March 13 attack claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) occurred.

The lyrics, mostly sung in French say among others that “you kill innocent people for lost causes” adding that “you won’t go to paradise”.

The musicians clad in black and white T-shirts with the Ivorian flag and the words “Meme Pas Peur” defiantly say in their chorus that “in Ivory Coast, we’re on our feet. We’re not even afraid.”

One of the singers quoted the Quran’s Surah Al-Mai’dah (5:32) which cautions against killing people for unjust purposes.

Part of the lyrics also quizzes: “What are you doing on the beaches? Because of 70 virgins, you kill innocent people? In the name of God, you will not go to paradise.”

Another was more critical of AQIM’s interpretation of Islam saying “Islam is a religion of love and tolerance.”

The song’s producer Chico Lacoste told the BBC that he decided to make a song to “tell the whole world that: ‘Yes it’s true that Ivory Coast has been hit but we have not fallen down’”.

Ivorian authorities have arrested 15 people in connection with the attack and have launched a manhunt for one Kounta Dallah who is believed to have led the attack.

Watch the video of the song below. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }

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