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النسخة العربية
  • Politics
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  • Tag
  • music

Five books that trace the history of classical music

From British brass bands to the hymns of a Sumerian priestess and a film score that makes light of death, our aural history spans continents and millennia. These books have a unique take on it

Osama Esber 23 September 2026
Lina Jaradat

Aly Eissa's new works: East-West musical fusion, his way

In Menoh Fih and Qishr al-Bayd, the Egyptian oud player absorbs from his Eastern heritage a sense of freedom in handling, play, and improvised surprise

Fadi El-Abdallah 03 July 2026
Iraqi-American musician and researcher Mark Gergis, who co-founded Syrian Cassette Archives, began collecting cassette tapes during visits to Syria in the 1990s. Syrian Cassette Archive

How cassette tapes preserved Syria's unofficial soundtrack

For nearly three decades, these recordings carried voices ignored by official media across the country's streets, taxis and nightclubs. Now, they are being digitised into a comprehensive archive.

Khalil Sweileh 27 March 2026
Aliaa Aboukhaddour

The Kuwaiti collector preserving Fairuz's legacy

Faris Al-Muhanna dreams of one day creating a digital archive to safeguard the history and memory of Lebanon's most iconic artist for future generations

Charbel Khoury 17 February 2026
Sara Padovan

From Palestine to AI: cultural trends that swept 2025

For those who look closely, there were recurring cultural themes over the past 12 months, whether in cinema, music, art, or literature. There were also common threats and shared opportunities.

Shadi Alaa Aldin 27 December 2025
Yusra Naim

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
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Al Majalla/Reuters
Politics

Houthis seek expansion after reaching Bab al-Mandab

17, Sep 2026

After rapid advances, the Yemeni rebel group is fortifying its positions along the vital maritime chokepoint, while intensifying pressure in southwestern Taiz, northern Lahj, and Marib

Ibrahim Jalal
Al Majalla
Culture & Social Affairs

Backlash over Macklemore ban shows major US culture shift

16, Sep 2026

The American rapper's removal from Ed Sheeran's tour over his 'Free Palestine' speech and the British singer's meek rebuttal sparked an uproar on social media

Samer Abou Hawwach
Axel Rangel García
Politics

Francesca Albanese: the Palestine question is a global one

16, Sep 2026

In an interview with Al Majalla, the UN Special Rapporteur says the backlash against her for speaking out against Israel's genocide in Gaza reveals much about the current international order

Elie Kossaifi
Al Majalla
Business & Economy

AI data centres: the costliest infrastructure race in history?

17, Sep 2026

Investment could reach $50tn by 2050, but electricity, semiconductors and data laws will determine where the factories of the new economy are built

Abdel-Rahman Ayas
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a moment with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Chinese President Xi Jinping looks on during day two of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, on 13 September 2026. REUTERS
Politics

Only China, India, and Russia can end the Iran war

15, Sep 2026

Washington needs its rivals to create peace on its behalf

Amir Handjani

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OPINIONS

Syria's isolation is ending; al-Sharaa's work has just begun

Alia Mansour
Alia Mansour

Five books that trace the history of classical music

Osama Esber
Osama Esber

What lies in store for Xi Jinping in Washington?

Charbel Barakat
Charbel Barakat

Trade and technology to dominate Trump-Xi talks

Al Majalla - London
Al Majalla - London
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