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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
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CIA Director John Ratcliffe at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on 15 August 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, where Donald Trump met with Vladimir Putin for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. ANDREW HARNIK / AFP
Politics

Why Ratcliffe's secret visit to Moscow is concerning

27 August 2026

The American CIA director's visit looks to be a desperate attempt by the Trump administration to avert a doomsday scenario in which NATO is pulled into a larger war with Russia

Con Coughlin
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Beijing, China, on 2 September 2025. Reuters
Business & Economy

Will US sanctions on Iran bite? It may depend on China

26 August 2026

Beijing says it will not abide by the new 'Economic D-Day' measures and warns the US of retaliation if they hurt their oil trade with Tehran

Rana Freifer
Nigel Buchanan
Politics

Gadi Eisenkot: Israel’s next leader?

27 August 2026

Al Majalla looks at the former army general's career, political positions, possible paths to victory, and what a change in leadership could mean for Israel and the region after three years of war

Al Majalla - London
Sara Padovan
Science & Technology

When myth replaces medicine

25 August 2026

As social media transforms how people seek medical advice, figures such as Barbara O'Neill offer something conventional medicine rarely can: absolute certainty

Mohammed Mansour
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif posing after signing the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement in Mecca, Saudi Arabia on 7 August, 2026. PAKISTAN PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE / AFP
Politics

Networked Middle East security

22 August 2026

The Iran war exposed the risks of being too closely tied to US military posture, which is why some Gulf states are repositioning themselves not merely as consumers of security but as architects of it

Bilal Saab

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OPINIONS

The artist who used land to capture Palestinian identity

Farouk Yousif
Farouk Yousif

Gadi Eisenkot: Israel’s next leader?

Al Majalla - London
Al Majalla - London

The general who could end Netanyahu’s era

Michael Horowitz
Michael Horowitz

Why Ratcliffe's secret visit to Moscow is concerning

Con Coughlin
Con Coughlin
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