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النسخة العربية
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  • 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
Axel Rangel Garcia
Politics

Why a cornered Iran is also a problem for China

02 May 2026

Even when appeals to open the Hormuz Strait come from a close ally like Beijing, they fall on deaf ears in Tehran. But hope is not yet lost.

Xiaotong Yang
Sara Padovan
Business & Economy

Global airfares soar amid ongoing US-Iran turmoil

04 May 2026

Airspace closures, rising fuel costs, shifting flight maps and delayed aircraft deliveries have repriced flights around the world, with some travel routes hit worse than others

Abdel-Rahman Ayas
A man holds a flag featuring the late leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the late Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei and the new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, at a rally in Tehran on 29 April 2026. Majid Asgaripour / Reuters
Politics

Real Iran splits and the myth of division

04 May 2026

The argument is over the price and presentation, not the basic instinct to preserve the system

Alex Vatanka
A Lebanese guard stands in front of  Magen Abraham, the last Jewish synagogue in Lebanon at Wadi Abou Jmil, Beirut's former Jewish neighbourhood, in the war-devastated city centre. JOSEPH BARRAK / AFP
Culture & Social Affairs

New book recalls Beirut’s once-vibrant Jewish quarter

01 May 2026

Veteran Lebanese journalist Nada Abdelsamad transports readers back to the time when Beirut's Jewish quarter, known at the time as Wadi al-Yahud, was thriving

Abdul Rahman Mazhar Halloush
Turkish fighter jets fly over a warship in Kyrenia, in the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. AFP
Politics

How the Iran war changed Türkiye’s security calculus

05 May 2026

Ankara's national security priority is no longer Kurds or Gülenists, but Israel. Likewise, in Tel Aviv, Türkiye is increasingly seen as a future Israeli adversary. Both are preparing accordingly

Rustum Mahmud

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OPINIONS

Pakistan proves its utility as a US-Iran mediator

Con Coughlin
Con Coughlin

Gulf states take on Iran’s sleeper cells

Al Majalla - London
Al Majalla - London

Iran’s bid to export disorder across the Gulf

Omar Harkous
Omar Harkous

How Europe helps keep Hezbollah in business

Lina Khatib
Lina Khatib
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