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النسخة العربية
  • Politics
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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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A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter affiliated with Iran's separatist Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), mans a position north of Kirkuk, in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region. Safin Hamid/AFP
Politics

Why Iran’s militant Kurds stayed out of the US-Iran war

31 May 2026

In March there was talk of armed Kurdish fighters opening a second front in Iran's north-west, but it never happened—for several very good reasons.

Alex Vatanka
Raúl Castro was Cuban president from 2006 to 2018, having served as Minister for the Armed Forces from 1959 to 2008. AFP
Profiles

Raúl Castro: the soldier who made Fidel’s revolution endure

31 May 2026

Fidel's brother built Cuba's armed forces and took over the presidency when his more charismatic sibling fell ill two decades ago. A recent US indictment from a 1996 incident now asks new questions.

Stefanie Butendieck Hijerra
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on 25 May 2026. Reuters
Politics

How Pakistan became China’s indispensable intermediary

01 June 2026

With war closing the Strait of Hormuz, Islamabad has become both broker and bridge, mediating between rivals while keeping Beijing's overland trade routes alive

Shirley Ze Yu
SARA GIRONI CARNEVALE
Business & Economy

How AI is changing the nature of work

01 June 2026

Some predict 'the end of jobs,' others a 'jobs apocalypse,' but optimists think people will adapt and get paid to do different things. Amidst war and mountains of debt, is AI a help or a harbinger?

Abdel-Rahman Ayas
Turkish drilling vessel Cagri Bey, which is set to conduct Turkiye's first deep-sea drilling operation docks in the Indian Ocean near the Mogadishu sea port in Mogadishu, Somalia April 10, 2026. Reuters / Feisal Omar
Business & Economy

Türkiye’s proposed maritime bill risks reigniting old rivalries

01 June 2026

The Exclusive Economic Zone risks reopening disputes over energy, maritime claims, and influence in the Eastern Mediterranean

Amr Emam

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OPINIONS

Has Trump's patience with Netanyahu run out?

Con Coughlin
Con Coughlin

The escalating nuclear arms race

Al Majalla - London
Al Majalla - London

Growing insecurity has states eyeing their own nukes

Samer Elias

Russia’s timely reminder of its vast nuclear arsenal

Khattar Abu Diab
Khattar Abu Diab
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