This image was posted on Facebook by Adnan Sami.
Singer Adnan Sami, who requested to stay in India on humanitarian grounds earlier this year, said that he wouldn't have sought Indian citizenship if there was 'intolerance' in the country.
"If there was intolerance in the country, would I have asked for citizenship? I believe actions speak louder than words," said Adnan.
Adnan was granted permission to stay in India in August. The singer, who came to India on a visitor's visa, had been staying in the country since March 2001.(Also Read:
Ashutosh Rana on Aamir Khan's Comments on 'Intolerance')
The
Bhar Do Jholi Meri singer also expressed his opinion about the cancellation of popular Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali's performances in Mumbai and Pune due to protests by the Shiv Sena.
"Yes, he should perform. Everybody should perform. Music does not have colour or religion. If I listen to a song, I don't care about the colour, religion or country of the singer. It doesn't matter even if it is in another language because I love the music. If Michael Jackson recorded his music in Los Angeles or London, how does it matter? It reached me. I like it and that's it. If the music touches you, then it shouldn't matter," added Adnan.
Adnan also said that his job is to create music and harmony. "I am a singer. My job is to create music and harmony. Wherever I see harmony, I will go there. There is nothing more beautiful for a musician to listen and see harmony. And if such a thing can happen, then I, like more than a billion people here, would love it," he added.
As far as the controversy over the India and Pakistan cricket series is concerned, the singer said: "Yes, cricket should be played. Nothing will happen out of that, but why not. Let's get real. It will happen one day, but in the meanwhile let's play cricket. Let's play ball, at least somewhere."
Adnan has sung songs like
Kabhi Toh Nazar Milao,
Lift Karaa De,
Tera Chehra and
Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein. He said that the love which he has received from his fans, means a lot to him.
"When my first album released, it wasn't Bollywood. The love that I received from people was everything and it still is everything for me. After 16 years, it is not just the land where I work, but also my home and my love. Today, I feel proud when a good thing happens in the country. If there is a new airport in Mumbai, I would feel proud about it, and I feel equally angry when I see potholes," he added.