music

The melody of healing: music’s journey from art to therapy

While the science is still catching up in many areas, music therapy is known to have a range of psychological and physiological benefits.

Mohammed Mansour 04 October 2025

Al Majalla/Axel Rangel Garcia

How music helps bring hope and healing to Gaza's war-torn

Palestinians have always clung to their traditions. Music is one of them. Amid the death and destruction, Gaza's displaced find solace in songs of resistance and steadfastness.

Houssam Marouf 23 January 2025

K-pop girl group New Jeans perform during “2024 Korea On Stage — New Generation," held at the Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul on May 21, 2024.

Anthony WALLACE / AFP

Why South Korean pop culture rocks and North Korea’s does not

Dictatorship stifles creativity and joyrn

The Economist 04 June 2024

The fanfare surrounding Qabbani's musical at the Chicago World's Fair boosted its popularity among the American art and theatre elite and made a star out of performer Malaka Surur.

The oldest Arabic music recording sits in Harvard's Peabody museum

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

Taissier Khalaf 03 March 2024

People attend the Soundstorm music festival, organized by MDLBEAST, in Banban on the outskirts of the Saudi capital Riyadh on December 16, 2021.

AFP

Music in Saudi Arabia tunes into a new and modernised future

A new generation of young people is finding training and work in a refreshed and revitalised cultural scene, making their presence felt while also staying true to important heritage

Nawwar Jabbour 29 June 2023

Despite mention of Umm Kulthum, the Rolling Stone list reveals cultural shortcomings of a title craving influence.

Eduardo Ramon

Arab culture still unseen by the West despite Umm Kulthum’s recognition by Rolling Stone

Despite mention of Umm Kulthum, the Rolling Stone list reveals cultural shortcomings of a title craving influence

Shadi Alaa Aldin 04 February 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

Noha Gamal teaching Zumba to a number of young people. (Photo Courtesy of Noha Gamal)

Dancing to the Tunes of Willpower

Although she is now 25, Noha Gamal has experienced many painful lessons in life that taught her a lot. Gamal is the first blind Zumba instructor in Egypt. Her story can be an inspiration to many. …

Salwa Samir 19 March 2022

“Of Lovers”

On the premises of one of the most enchanting Mamluk Palaces, songs of Star of the Orient Om Kulthoum, intertwined with pearls of wisdom from Al Imam Ibn Hazm Al Andalusi (7 November 994 – 15 August…

Amira el Noshokaty 13 August 2021

The group of rappers who spoke to The Diplomat. Left to right: Arif Farooq, Ahmer Javaid, Tufail Nazir, Syed Arslan, and SXR. (TNS)

The Sound of ‘Conscious’ Rap

They may look like any other group of young men chilling out on a river bank. But these young men in a huddle are scripting the revival of rap music in Indian-administered Kashmir. The narrow park…

Muheet Ul Islam 05 June 2021

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In a wide-ranging sitdown interview with Al Majalla, AANES Foreign Affairs Chief Ilham Ahmed lays out the lingering points of contention with Damascus and the way forward

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Med market? Europe eyes closer trade with North Africa

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After being hit by tariffs from its Washington ally, Brussels is seeking to diversify its business partners. Across the Mediterranean Sea, states offer labour, materials, and markets

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Palestinian artist breathes life and meaning into Jaffa’s shoreline shards

03 October 2025

Mohammad Qundus uses the fragments of former lives in his latest exhibition that seeks to reaffirm the Palestinian presence of today and its connection to the past

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LATEST ISSUE

The melody of healing: music’s journey from art to therapy

How music helps bring hope and healing to Gaza's war-torn

Why South Korean pop culture rocks and North Korea’s does not

The oldest Arabic music recording sits in Harvard's Peabody museum

Music in Saudi Arabia tunes into a new and modernised future

Arab culture still unseen by the West despite Umm Kulthum’s recognition by Rolling Stone

Band Revives 1950s Egyptian Songs in Jazzy Way

Dancing to the Tunes of Willpower

“Of Lovers”

The Sound of ‘Conscious’ Rap

Two years after October 7

Ilham Ahmed on negotiating Syria’s future

Allies' anger over Gaza tests US support for Israel

Med market? Europe eyes closer trade with North Africa

Palestinian artist breathes life and meaning into Jaffa’s shoreline shards

OPINIONS

Two years after October 7

Two years after October 7: a region between disorder and transition

October 7th's long shadow

The Middle East after October 7: a new map and a major loser

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