Saida Fikri (Arabic: سعيدة فكري; born 28 November 1971 in Casablanca) is a Moroccan singer and composer. Her songs are blend between Moroccan folk and Western rock music. She started singing with her brother Khalid Fikri and achieved notability in Morocco in the early 1990s with engaged songs. She is most remembered for songs such as Salouni al Adab (Ask me about pain). In 1998, she was banned in Morocco from public performance for the political tone of her songs. The ban was only lifted in 2008.
In 1997 she emigrated to the United States and settled there and acquired the American citizenship. Early Albums: 1993 : Nadmana 1995 : Salouni alâdab 1998 : Al Hamech 2001 : Kloub Arrahma 2004 : Assir Al Madfoune 2005 : Hanna 2006 : Essilm The voice of the people, Started singing at the age of 8, inspired by a wide range of international music, including Bob Dylan, Jacques Brel, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Fayrouz, etc. Saida wrote her first song at the age of 12, and released her first album in 1994 titled “Nadmana.” A year later she released her second album titled “Salouni Ala’adab” which would launch her career across North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
In 1998 she released an album that challenged the government’s policies, speaking out against corruption, poverty, and the lack of human liberties. The album’s hit was titled “L’Miseria” and made such a massive impact on the nation that she was banned from performing for years following. She would later release 7 more albums from 1998 -2008 from her new home in the United States, and finally returned to perform in Morocco for the first time in 2008 after 10 years away. At her first concert back, she was welcomed by 170,000 dedicated fans singing each song word for word, it was as though she had never left. “One World” a title of one of her songs reflects her dream as an activist and what she wants to accomplish for global unity, tolerance, and peace.
In 2012, Saida started her own non-profit organization “The Saida Fikri Foundation,” a way for her to be directly involved in the elimination of poverty. The organization focuses on creativity and educational entertainment by hosting benefit concerts and festivals globally, and building schools and orphanages in needy countries. The foundation’s goal is to save the children from poverty, violence, drugs, homelessness, and lack of education.
The foundation also focuses on spreading peace around the world and creating acceptance between nations with events serving this purpose. Saida has been awarded titles like “The Voice for People Without a Voice” and “Ambassador of Peace and Hope” from the international community and other organizations.
Website: https://www.saidafikri.net/
You will find links to all Saida Fikri's social media accounts on her Website.
Instagram: @saidafikri