Prominent Algerian singer Hamdi Benani passed away on Monday in Ibn Sina hospital in Annaba, where he had spent 10 days for treatment from the coronavirus.
Doctors at the hospital told journalists that the artist suffered from coronavirus and his health deteriorated in recent days, which necessitated his admission to the recovery room.
Benani is most known for the Malouf de Annabi song and always carrying a white violin.
Throughout his career, he was famous for his contribution to spreading Algerian culture in general, and Malouf in particular, through his participation in international events.
His successful career included over 30 songs, such as Adalah ya Adalah, Ya Lili, and Jani ma Jani.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed “great sadness for the loss of a master that was hugely considered a figure in Algerian culture,” adding that he was respected by his local and international audience throughout his whole career.
The number of coronavirus cases in Algeria climbed to over 50,000 cases with 1,672 deaths and about 35,000 recoveries.
At least seven deaths and 197 new infections were reported in the country over the past 24 hours, according to a statement by the Health Ministry.
Following the rise in infections, it has become certain that the school year will not resume on October 4 as previously determined by the government. This is due to its inability to prepare a plan to prevent a surge in infections, especially with regard to maintaining social distancing in overcrowded schools.
Authorities are considering delaying the school year till after the referendum on the constitution, scheduled for November 01.
Meanwhile, the syndicate of Imams mosques called for lifting the ban on Friday prayers, which the government excluded from its decision to reopen mosques issued in August.
Observers believe that the ban on Friday prayers is a political decision linked to the popular movement, as hundreds of thousands of protests used to occupy the streets after leaving the mosques on Fridays.
The authority wants to put an end to the Hirak movement, which was halted by its activists last March due to the outbreak of the pandemic.
On Saturday, Algerian Health Minister Abderrahmane Benbouzid expressed his satisfaction with the results of the fight against COVID-19, APS news agency reported.
Benbouzid said there is a drop in new cases in recent weeks, which is due to “the effective participation of all sectors and all sections of society, despite the fact that some still do not respect the compulsory wearing of masks.”
He warned against another wave of high infections if the precautionary measures issued by authorities were not respected.
