ع
Sections
  • Politics
  • Culture & Social Affairs
  • Business & Economy
  • Science & Technology
  • Documents & Memoirs
Regions
  • Gulf
  • MENA
  • Europe
  • USA
  • Asia
  • World
More
  • Videos
  • Cartoons
  • World in photos
  • Infographics
  • Profiles
  • Newsletter

LATEST ISSUE

Latest Issue
Magazine Archive
النسخة العربية
  • Politics
  • Culture & Social Affairs
  • Business & Economy
  • Science & Technology
  • Tag
  • Arabic music

Cover of the book "Umm Kulthum and the Turks"

New book captures Turkish adoration of Umm Kulthum

The legendary Egyptian singer's voice soared over the airwaves at a time when Atatürk was trying to ban Eastern music in favour of Western imports. The love was long-lasting, as a new book explains.

Abdul Rahman Mazhar Halloush 02 April 2025
Lina Jaradat

How Umm Kulthum changed the landscape of Arabic music

The Egyptian diva's collaboration with Mohamed el-Qasabgi was a game-changer. Between them, they gently rewrote the rules around structure and performance, paving the way for the next generation.

Fadi El-Abdallah 03 February 2025
Iraqi composer and oud player Naseer Shamma AFP

Naseer Shamma: The oud is a mirror that reflects the player's emotions

The Iraqi composer and musician is known for his mastery of the oud and the schools he has set up around the Middle East to pass on his knowledge and love of the instrument.

Lorca Sbeity 30 June 2024
September 15 marks the centenary of the death of the legendary Egyptian musician Sayed Darwish, who revolutionised Arab music. Al Majalla explores his time in Aleppo and how it shaped his music. Eduardo Ramon

How Aleppo's music scene influenced Sayed Darwish

September 15 marks the centenary of the death of the legendary Egyptian musician Sayed Darwish, who revolutionised Arab music. Al Majalla explores his time in Aleppo and how it shaped his music.

Taissier Khalaf 15 September 2023
Assi al-Rahbani changed the face of Lebanese and Arab music with his brother Mansour and the legendary singer Fairuz. On what would have been his 100th birthday, Al Majalla looks at their life stories. Andrei Cojocaru

Centennial of Assi al-Rahbani shines light on his cherished musical legacy

Assi al-Rahbani changed the face of Arab music along with his brother Mansour and the legendary singer Fairuz. On what would have been his 100th birthday, Al Majalla looks at their life stories

Mohamed abi Samra 04 May 2023
Egyptian Jazz Projekt band performing at the American University in Cairo’s Cultural Center.  Credit: Salwa Samir

Band Revives 1950s Egyptian Songs in Jazzy Way

The London-based Egyptian Jazz Projekt band founded by Ahmed Harfoush has recently held a concert in downtown Cairo. Majalla attended the event and interviewed Harfoush about his band’s mission. …

Salwa Samir 02 September 2022
  • Popular
  • Editor's Pick
Grace Russell
Politics

Gulf states should steer clear of attritional war traps

01 April 2026

The US-Israeli war against Iran aims to draw in Gulf states, but history has shown that entering wars is far easier than exiting them. Prudence is needed now more than ever.

Khairuldeen Al Makhzoomi
Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin speaks at a press conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on 25 August, 2025. Luka Dakskobler / Getty
Politics

'Israel is exploiting Iran war to kill a Palestinian state'

01 April 2026

PA Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin tells Al Majalla that Israel is taking advantage of the fact that the world is distracted by the US-Iran war to create irreversible facts on the ground

Ahmed Maher
Ewan White
Politics

Iraq's internal battle for influence comes to a head

31 March 2026

New fronts have opened up across the region in light of the US-Israeli war on Iran, as non-state actors with links to Tehran fear for their futures

Rustum Mahmud
People gather during a celebration called by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) at the Umayyad Square, after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, 20 December, 2024. Reuters / Ammar
Business & Economy

US-Iran war gives Syria's global economic pitch more urgency

01 April 2026

Given the effective closure of the Hormuz Strait and Houthi threats to close off the Red Sea, Syria may emerge as a corridor and conduit to bypass these embattled maritime chokepoints

Charles Lister
Farid al-Madhan Reuters/ Al Majalla
Politics

Farid al-Madhan: Assad's fingerprints were on every picture

31 March 2026

A former army forensics employee who later became known as Caesar tells Al Majalla how he risked his life to expose the torture and killing of countless Syrians in regime prisons

Ibrahim Hamidi

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter

Get the best of Al Majalla, straight to your inbox.

Your newsletter subscriptions are subject to Al Majalla privacy policy and terms and conditions.

OPINIONS

Drones vs interceptors: cost disparity sparks defence rethink

Al Majalla - London
Al Majalla - London

Will the 'Syria First' promise hold up under pressure?

Alia Mansour
Alia Mansour

New study finds deep sleep better than long sleep

Mohammed Mansour

The US-Iran war has thrown Asia into crisis

The Economist
The Economist
MORE FROM OPINIONS
logo
  • Politics
  • Culture & Social Affairs
  • Business & Economy
  • Science & Technology
  • Documents & Memoirs
  • Gulf
  • MENA
  • Europe
  • USA
  • Asia
  • World
  • Videos
  • Cartoons
  • World in photos
  • Infographics
  • Profiles
  • About Al Majalla
  • Al Majalla Team
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact us
logo

© Al Majalla Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

0:00:00
0:00:00