Entertainment Desk:

Veteran musician Kanak Chapa has urged restraint and calm in the wake of recent unrest linked to the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, warning that violence and destruction in the cultural sphere only harm the country and betray the ideals being invoked in his name.

In a social media post shared on Saturday, the singer condemned attacks, vandalism and arson targeting institutions involved in art, literature and culture. She said those responsible for the chaos cannot claim to represent the values of Osman Hadi, who was known, she noted, for placing justice and humanity at the centre of his beliefs.

Kanak Chapa recalled a statement frequently attributed to Osman Hadi in which he said he wished to ensure justice even for his enemies. According to the musician, that sentiment stands in direct contrast to the destructive acts that have followed his death.

Shifting the focus away from confrontation, she said Osman Hadi had never advocated violence in response to what he described as cultural aggression. Instead, he called for the creation and promotion of positive cultural practice. Attacks on artists and cultural institutions, she added, undermine that message and damage the country’s social fabric.

Calling on the public to reject provocation, rumours and manipulation, Kanak Chapa appealed for people to act responsibly and to protect the nation’s cultural life at a time of heightened tension.