Now in his ninth decade, this pillar of Arabic TV and theatre has had his fair share of run-ins with the authorities, not least those of the Assad regime. Now it has gone, 'a weight has been lifted'

The first ever Saudi opera singer tells Al Majalla about working with one of Britain's finest operatic performers on an ancient pre-Islamic tale sung in Arabic and performed in Riyadh.

Cut 130 years ago, these records demonstrate the early interaction between Arab art and American audiences which left a lasting impact on both worlds.

From the heart of the Lebanese capital, Metro Al Madina stands as one of Beirut's few remaining sanctuaries for artistic and cultural expression that departs from the norm and challenges politics.

The Freedom Theatre, once a cultural oasis in Jenin dedicated to the celebration of life, turned into a dungeon of terror, murder and death overnight. But renovations are already underway.

The young acclaimed writer who has published several poetry collections, written plays and musicals, and translated literary masterpieces weighs in on his experiences