Saudi singer Khalid Abdulrahman expressed his gratitude and joy at reconnecting with his Jordanian audience after a long absence, noting that this marks his third appearance at the Jerash Festival.

In a press conference held Wednesday ahead of his anticipated performance on Thursday evening, Abdulrahman said: “I thank the organizers of the Jerash Festival. The generosity and energy of the festival are still strong—and growing.”

Proudly, he added: “My third participation in this festival fills me with pride. It carries great weight to be standing before the great Jordanian audience.”

Abdulrahman stressed that he does not sing for himself, but for the people who have always held a place in his heart: “There’s a strong bond of love between me and my Jordanian fans. I’ve always followed young talents performing my songs.”

Speaking about the stage experience, the "Sareheni" singer said: “Standing on the Jerash stage is something beautiful and special.” He also expressed a wish to connect more with the Jordanian public through media, adding: “I hope to find an opportunity to appear on a light entertainment program that reaches the channel’s viewers and audience effectively.”

He took a moment to extend a heartfelt greeting to director Hussein Dabbas, wishing him a speedy recovery and stating that he had not been aware of the recent developments in his health.

On Artistic Identity and the Origins of "Mukhawi Al-Layl"

Abdulrahman spoke about artistic growth and the importance of preserving one's identity in the face of development, saying: “Progress is beautiful, but it’s essential not to lose our artistic identity.”

He shared the story behind his famous nickname "Mukhawi Al-Layl", explaining: “I once wrote a poem with the phrase ‘I befriend the night’—that’s how the nickname was born.”

The artist also pointed out that his early oud sessions predated his official releases like "Sareheni", highlighting the oud’s foundational role in his musical journey.

In a surprise announcement, Abdulrahman revealed an upcoming collaboration with fellow Saudi artist Abadi Al-Johar, though he declined to share further details at this time.

Tribute to Fairouz and Reflection on Fellow Artists

Abdulrahman paid tribute to the legendary Fairouz, saying: “Fairouz is a widely celebrated artist, with fans all over the world. We offer her our heartfelt condolences on the loss of her son, Ziad Rahbani.”

Regarding other artists who have covered his songs, he remarked: “Anyone who has sung my work has made me happy—even though they are few. There are many beautiful voices out there, even if they are not widely known.”