Muslim contestant withdraws from The Voice after Islamophobic attacks

French-Arab singer Mennel Ibtissem withdrew from French version of The Voice competition after being the target of Islamophobic attacks and campaigns on social media. Social media users criticized Ibtissem for her support of Palestine and for wearing a hijab.

The 22-year-old Ibtissem stunned the jury and audience with her performance of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” singing it in Arabic and English.

After wearing a hijab during her performance last Saturday and showing her support for Palestine she was subjected to racist remarks. Social media users protested the TV administration saying a woman wearing a hijab should not take part in a French competition while some TV programs reacted to Ibtissem singing part of the song in Arabic.

After the rise of campaigns against her, Ibtissem announced her withdrawal from the competition on Facebook thanking everyone who supported her during these hard days and that she would continue to fight.

“As an artist, singer, I participated in The Voice with the intention of gathering people not dividing them, and to open people’s minds, not narrow them. I have faith in humanity and in people’s kindness. I have faith in a future full of love, peace and tolerance.”

“But these past few days were very difficult for me. That’s why, today, I have decided to quit the program…I will take the best part of this situation to keep spreading my message of peace and tolerance. I will keep smiling and not let fear control me,” she said.

The broadcasting network of the popular show ITV Studios France stated, ‘’We respect Ibtissem’s decision.”

The French TV channel TF1 said ‘’The decision was made with responsibility’’ and wished Ibtissem success in her art life.