Singer Nawal El Zoghbi has declined to be in the running for one of Lebanon's prestigious cultural awards, the Murex d'Or, citing the rapid economic deterioration in her home country as her reason to take a step back. El Zoghbi announced her decision on Twitter ahead of Wednesday's ceremony, which will take place in Beirut’s Casino du Liban. “I announce my apologies for not accepting it this year because of the difficult situation the country is going through,” she said. “I hope that the resurrection of Lebanon is near ... Lebanon is not well.” The <i>Alf W Meya </i>singer was one of eight artists nominated in the Best Lebanese Artist category, alongside pop stars <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/music/how-lebanese-singer-elissa-became-the-leading-arab-personality-on-twitter-1.1116363" target="_blank">Elissa</a>, Najwa Karam, <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/music/nancy-10-will-nancy-ajram-s-new-album-speak-of-past-traumas-1.1233671" target="_blank">Nancy Ajram</a>, Maya Diab, Yara, <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/books/abu-dhabi-book-fair-2021-lebanese-singer-abeer-nehme-on-how-the-pandemic-gave-her-a-newfound-respect-for-art-1.1228152" target="_blank">Abeer Nehme </a>and Carole Samaha. Winners are chosen through an online public vote. Event organisers have yet to make a comment regarding El Zoghbi’s decision. Created by Lebanese physicians Zahi and Fadi Helou and launched in 2000, the Murex d'Or awards recognise Lebanese and pan-Arab achievements in music, film and television. The major categories – including Best Actor, Best Film and Best Television series – are split into two streams, to recognise Best Lebanese and Best Arab talents and works. With Lebanon’s continuing economic crisis and the pandemic forcing the cancellation of 2020's ceremony, this year it will reward artists for their efforts between 2019 and 2021. El Zoghbi's decision looks to have received a cool reception within the music industry, as no major personality had responded nor endorsed her tweet at the time of writing. While she received plenty of fan support online, El Zoghbi was also accused of hypocrisy, after she released her latest upbeat tune and video<i> Orkoss</i>. The song, for which the title translates to "dance", has been disparaged for being out of step with Lebanon’s woeful situation. El Zoghbi responded to the song's critics on Saturday, saying she was simply practising her craft. "This is my job. I am not celebrating,” she said on <a href="https://twitter.com/NawalElZoghbi/status/1426543383393275909?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1426543383393275909%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Farabic.cnn.com%2Fentertainment%2Farticle%2F2021%2F08%2F14%2Fnawal-al-zoghbi-murex-dor-lebanon" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. “I am like anyone else who needs to work, especially during these difficult times." The star also recently announced she was leaving Lebanon's Syndicate of Professional Artists, saying the body has instructed members to refrain from criticising Lebanese politicians. In her two-page resignation letter, <a href="https://twitter.com/NawalElZoghbi/status/1389949797050851335?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1389949797050851335%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.the961.com%2Fnawal-el-zoghbi-resigns-syndicate-over-freedom-of-expression%2F" target="_blank">uploaded on Twitter on May 5</a>, she described the syndicate’s position as "a dangerous and unprecedented move".