Libya’s famous Asma Salim sings for freedom warriors

TRIPOLI - Anatolia News Agency

Salim wants to make her first music video in Turkey, which she has visited before. Her video focuses on freedom in Libya.

Writing and singing songs supporting protestors in Libya throughout their rebellion against Moammar Gadhafi, Libyan singer Asma Salim now says she plans to release an album with Turkish songs in gratitude for Ankara’s assistance during the uprising.

“I hope I can be one of the most loved singers in Turkey,” Salim said, noting that she had sung a song in Turkish. Salim sang “Libya Called,” a song dedicated to the mothers who had lost their children during the protests and fighting. She said it gave hope to rebels, also known in Libya as the “warriors of freedom,” and their families. “I still get emotional listening to songs that I wrote in those days [of the revolution].”

Empowering rebellion
Salim said she was honored to empower the rebellion through her music. “It is such an honor for me to give hope and support to Libya’s ‘warriors of freedom’ because I have also fought against the system in my own songs. I joined the fight through my songs, and it is an honor for me that everyone in Libya has listened to my songs during the conflict.”

Salim, born in Libya to a Tunisian mother and an Algerian father, started her music career at the age of 17 but continued it in Tunisia because of Libya’s oppressive regime under Gadhafi. Despite living abroad, Salim said she never lost touch with her roots and supported the idea of a free Libya in her songs.

Having never returned to Libya, Salim always dreamed of going back. After Gadhafi’s death, she returned to Libya in October and began preparing for her new album.



Salim wants to make her first music video in Turkey, which she has visited before. For her first video, Salim said she would focus on freedom and Libya.

Salim said she had visited Istanbul twice before and that she loves Turkey and Turkish people and added that said she sympathized with the country.

She thanked Turkey for its support for the rebels during the Libyan revolution. “We want to thank Turkey for caring for our injured.”

Salim said she was currently working on Turkish and English songs and that she would soon have an album that includes Turkish songs. “Next year, I hope to visit Turkey next year and perform in concert,” she said.

Salim has gained many fans through social media.