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.

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.

From 1936-47, the legendary singer acted in half a dozen Egyptian movies, which were big box-office successes, but retired just as the film industry was at its peak

The Arab musical icon is still heard across genres as today's artists weave her into their own creations, with 'Enta Omri' being one of her most sampled songs

From her tough times living in Tamay az-Zahayrah to a life of stardom, Al Majalla revisits Umm Kulthum's memoirs, as narrated to the late Egyptian writer Ali Amin