In his most recent public appearance, retired Moroccan singer Abdelhadi Belkhayat revealed the reasons behind his decision to retire from the music scene in 2012. In a video, he shared that during a visit to a friend's dying mother, he was deeply moved by her recitation of verse 16 from Sura 57 (Al Hadid). This moment of spiritual reflection prompted him to step away from the conventional music industry and focus on spirituality. At the graduation ceremony for students at the Imam Nafiî Koranic school in Tamellalt, he became emotional as he recited verses that marked the beginning of a profound shift in his life. Belkhayat also recounted a turning point in his life in 1987, when he was about to travel to Belgium to sign a contract and perform 30 concerts. At the airport, he met a group of preachers on their way to London, which made such an impact on him that he reconsidered his plans and decided to change his path. Instead of heading to Belgium, he chose to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, where he spent four months reflecting and deepening his religious understanding. Now 84 years old, Belkhayat described this time as one of the most beautiful moments of his life, offering him the opportunity to reflect on the essence of his faith. Although he announced his retirement in 2012 to focus on religious music, he has continued to make occasional artistic appearances, including at the 2015 Mawazine Festival, where he performed sacred songs. In 2021, he released a patriotic song dedicated to the people of the Sahara provinces. Most recently, in April 2022, he shared a song on his YouTube channel promoting brotherhood and good relations between the Moroccan and Algerian peoples, advocating for unity beyond political differences.
