Twelve Dead in Algeria as Images of Cheb Khaled Celebrating in Rabat Spark Outrage
Cheb Khaled’s festive images in Rabat resurfaced at the worst possible moment in Algeria. As fires claimed at least 12 lives and plunged the country into mourning, his performance in Morocco triggered a fierce campaign on social media.
The raï king’s concert at the Rab’Africa festival became the target of a flood of comments. Algerian internet users accused him of sharing photos and videos of his evening in Rabat while emergency services were battling deadly fires in several regions of the country.
Some comments went so far as to disavow the singer and question his patriotism. His closeness to Morocco and his decision to perform there were once again used against him.
Algeria had just lost at least 12 people in fires that struck several wilayas in the central and eastern parts of the country. Firefighting operations and preventive evacuations were still continuing near populated areas.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had decreed three days of national mourning starting Thursday, August 27. It was in this context that images of Cheb Khaled’s Moroccan concert were widely reshared and attacked.
On Bladi.net : During a Concert in Rabat, Cheb Khaled Sends a Message to Mohammed VI
In Rabat, the artist had taken advantage of his appearance on stage to extend his wishes to Mohammed VI on the occasion of Youth Day. He wished the Moroccan sovereign health, well-being and a long life, to applause from the audience.
Every Appearance in Morocco Rekindles Outrage
The fires gave the current campaign a particularly brutal dimension, but the anger against Cheb Khaled does not date back to this tragedy. Since obtaining Moroccan nationality in 2013, each of his major appearances in the Kingdom has reignited the same accusations in Algeria.
In 2024, his presence alongside Mohammed VI during the Throne Day celebrations had already sparked fierce reactions. Internet users had then called for him to be banned from entering Algeria and for his songs to disappear from the public media.
On Bladi.net : Algerian Raï Star Cheb Khaled to Perform in Morocco Amid Homeland Boycott
The same scenario occurred again in January 2026. His concert in Casablanca following Algeria’s elimination from the CAN triggered a new wave of insults and accusations of betrayal.
This time, the mourning caused by the fires turned a recurring controversy into an outpouring. For some of his Algerian detractors, it is no longer only Cheb Khaled’s relations with Morocco that pose a problem, but the contrast between the images of celebration in Rabat and the tragedy experienced in their country.