"Umm Kulthum is the voice of the nation," Aya Khamis, 36, whispered as she sipped her tea. On a wooden stall just outside, a vendor laid out tiny figurines of Umm Kulthum and her orchestra.

It has been 40 years since an estimated four million people paid their last respects to the “Lady of Arab singing,” Umm Kalthoum, who died on 3 February 1975. The death of the most prominent ...

Hands down, Umm Kulthum – nicknamed the fourth pyramid, the Lady, the star of the east – is the most legendary Arab singer. At least once a week, my father will lay back on a couch ...

Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum died 50 years ago this week. She remains arguably the most influential Arab singer in and outside the Arab world. In Paris, there were three days of concerts to pay homage.

Al-Monitor is an award-winning media outlet covering the Middle East, valued for its independence, diversity and analysis. It is read widely by US, international and Middle East decision makers at the ...

Ministry of Culture has declared 2025 the “Year of Umm Kulthum,” launching a year-long celebration to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Egyptian singer’s death. Known variously as “the ...

The Grand Egyptian Museum is preparing to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of the singer Umm Kulthum, with an additional concert on February 24, after all tickets for the concert ...

From falling into the ‘massive abyss’ of Alfred Schnittke, to the ‘silly and lovely’ Electric Light Orchestra, Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance delivers Lottie Brazier a guide to her thirteen favourite ...

Al-Monitor is an award-winning media outlet covering the Middle East, valued for its independence, diversity and analysis. It is read widely by US, international and Middle East decision makers at the ...

Music Without Borders shines a spotlight on the creative contributions of Arab women through HANIM, a special concert celebrating iconic Arab women in music like Umm Kulthum, Asmahan, Fairouz, Sabah, ...