Musicians Syndicate Bans Ragheb Alama from Singing in Egypt
Mostafa Kamel, head of Egypt's Musicians' Syndicate, issued an official statement announcing the suspension of Lebanese mega star Ragheb Alama from performing in Egypt and summoning him for investigation over actions that took place during one of his recent concerts.
Kamel said in an official statement that 'Over the past two days, I have observed disgraceful behavior that violates all Egyptian customs, traditions, and societal values—behavior we are not used to in our homeland and will not allow to be repeated on the land of Umm Kulthum, Abdel Wahab, Abdel Halim, and the greats of Arab art. Egypt's stages have been graced by the most esteemed artists of Egypt and the Arab world—artists of true talent and worth—and they have never been, nor will they ever be, a place for inappropriate kisses, suggestive gestures, and repulsive embraces.'
In the same context, Khodr Alama, brother and manager of the Lebanese singer, responded to the statement issued by the Egyptian Musicians' Syndicate regarding the decision to ban Alama from performing in Egypt and to summon him for investigation over actions during a recent concert in the North Coast.
In an exclusive statement to Youm7 TV, Khodr Alama said that they have not yet received any official notification regarding what has been circulated about the suspension of Ragheb Alama from performing in Egypt.
read more
New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo
Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6
Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series
Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today
Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival
Arts & Culture
Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos
Arts & Culture
"The Flash" to End with Season 9
Arts & Culture
Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival
Arts & Culture
Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha
News
Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters
Arts & Culture
"Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date
News
China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier
Videos & Features
Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall
Lifestyle
Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt
Arts & Culture
South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle
Business
Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs
News
"Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence"
Sports
Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
News
Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
See - Sada Elbalad
34 minutes ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Dr. Zahi Hawass Concludes Blockbuster U.S. Lecture Tour: Over 40,000 Attend in 30 Cities Across America
Ali abo deshish Renowned Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass has concluded his highly successful lecture tour across the United States, which spanned three unforgettable months and included stops in 30 cities. The tour kicked off in Phoenix on May 1st and ended in Washington, D.C., on July 23rd. More than 40,000 attendees from across the country gathered to hear the world's most famous archaeologist unveil his latest discoveries from ancient Egypt—many of which were revealed publicly for the first time. In every city, Dr. Hawass was welcomed with thunderous applause and standing ovations, both at the start and conclusion of each lecture. Audiences were deeply moved, inspired, and left with a stronger desire to learn more about Egypt's extraordinary past. Following each lecture, long lines formed as attendees waited patiently to meet Dr. Hawass, take photos with him, and get their books signed—moments many described as unforgettable. Dr. Hawass described the tour as the most successful of his career to date, expressing his pride and gratitude for the overwhelming reception and the opportunity to bring Egypt's ancient wonders closer to the American people. U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, Herro Mustafa Garg, who attended one of the lectures, commented: 'It was an honor to attend Dr. Zahi Hawass's conference celebrating Egypt's extraordinary cultural heritage. The American people admire Egypt's contributions to human history. I look forward to the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum and to Egypt's continued leadership in preserving our shared global heritage.' Dr. Hawass now continues his journey to Canada, where he is scheduled to present lectures in three major cities, continuing his mission to share Egypt's rich legacy with the world. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
See - Sada Elbalad
an hour ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Stephen King's "Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" Movie in Works
Yara Sameh Stephen King's novel "The Long Walk" is getting the big screen treatment. Lionsgate has acquired the rights to King's 1999 novel "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon", setting JT Mollner, the filmmaker behind the well-regarded thriller "Strange Darling", to pen and helm the adaptation. The project marks a new collaboration between King and Mollner, who wrote the script for "The Long Walk", which was directed by Francis Lawrence and opens September 12. Roy Lee, the producer of "Long Walk" and "Strange Darling", will reteam with Mollner for "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon". Also producing will be Christine Romero, Ryan Silbert and Andrew Childs. Nathan Kahane, who is transitioning from his post as Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president to independent producer, will also join the project in a producorial capacity. King's psychological horror novel centers on the harrowing survival story of a nine-year-old girl named Trisha as she struggles to stay alive after getting lost in the woods alone. With only her Walkman radio playing baseball games to keep her company, the girl's love of pitcher "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" begins to manifest in hallucinations that may save her life. 'JT is a filmmaker we believe has a bright future,' said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Erin Westerman. 'Throughout his work, he creates characters, and especially young characters, that are so compelling, heartbreaking, and emotional that they pop off the screen. And of course, that's what Stephen King does on the page as well. The story of survival and perseverance in The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is timeless. We've loved this tale for a long time, and JT is the perfect choice to adapt and direct this King fan favorite.' Meredith Wieck will oversee the project for Lionsgate alongside Pavan Kalidindi. Phil Strina negotiated the deal on behalf of the studio. Lee has, over the years, amassed an enviable body of work adapting King's work, including "It" and "It: Chapter Two", as well as "Doctor Sleep", and "Salem's Lot". "Long Walk," which will have a panel in Hall H on Friday at San Diego Comic-Con, adapts King's 1979 horror novel and stars a list of next generation Hollywood talent. Mollner previously wrote and directed the indie psychological thriller "Strange Darling", which was released in 2024 and scored a critically acclaimed 96 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes. The film received the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films' best thriller award in 2025, as well as the STIGES Film Festival Grand People's Choice Award. In addition, Mollner was honored with the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival best director award for the movie. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
UPDATED: Renowned Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani, son of Fairuz, dies at 69 - Music - Arts & Culture
Renowned Lebanese musician Ziad Rahbani passed away Saturday, at the age of 69, following a rich artistic career that spanned decades. Ziad came from one of Lebanon's most prominent artistic families — he was the son of the legendary Fairuz and the late Assi Rahbani. He began his artistic journey at an early age, carving out a unique path that combined composing, performing, writing, and acting. Rahbani was known for his musical compositions that blended Eastern classical music with jazz and Western styles. Throughout his career, he collaborated with many major artists, most notably his mother, Fairouz, for whom he composed dozens of distinctive songs that continue to resonate with audiences to this day. Ziad Rahbani, the celebrated Lebanese composer, pianist, playwright, and political visionary, was born on 1 January 1956 in Antelias near Beirut, to legendary singer Fairuz (Nouhad Haddad) and composer Assi Rahbani. As the Associated Press (AP) notes: "While his parents helped construct a golden era of Lebanese musical theater steeped in idealism and nostalgia, Rahbani charged onto the scene with irreverent satire, unflinching political critique and jazz-inflected scores that mirrored the chaos and contradictions of a Lebanon at war with itself." His musical talent emerged early. At just 12, he wrote Sadiqi Allah (My Friend God), and by 17, one of his first compositions for his mother—Sa'alouni El‑Nass—became one of her most beloved hits. Throughout his career, Rahbani composed many iconic songs for Fairuz, including Andi Sikka Fik (1991), Kifak Inta? (2000), and Sallimli 'Alayh (2001), many of which appeared on albums such as Wala Keef (2001) and Eh Fi Amal (2010), marking Fairuz's return after a long recording hiatus. But his contributions went far beyond compositions for his mother. Among his most celebrated albums is Houdou Nisbi (1984), which he referred to as 'oriental jazz.' Critics, however, called that label 'a gross oversimplification,' noting that Houdou Nisbi draws from a wide range of styles rooted in Lebanon's unique cultural and historical crossroads, resulting in a deeply reflective musical meditation on its time. His 1987 release Amrak Seedna & Abtal Wa Harameyah showcased Rahbani's signature fusion of Arabic melodic traditions with Western funk, jazz, and boogie, producing a sound palette that was groundbreaking in the Arab world. These and many other compositions reflect Rahbani's distinct style: blending classical Arabic melodies with jazz, funk, and Western harmonies, often paired with lyrics of poetic, emotional, or satirical weight. In addition to his music, Rahbani was known for his outspoken political views, which often influenced the lyrical and thematic content of his work. His artistic persona combined humour, sarcasm, and sharp insight into daily life and power dynamics. This political engagement was especially evident in Rahbani's theatrical works, which emerged in the 1970s against the backdrop of Lebanon's social unrest and approaching civil war. As a playwright, composer, and lyricist, Rahbani created a genre-defying form of musical theatre that wove together colloquial Lebanese dialect, biting satire, and jazz-influenced compositions. His debut musical, Nazl El‑Sourour (1974), was a dark comedy about factory workers who take hostages in a motel to demand their rights. His 1978 play Bennesbeh Labokra, Chou? (What About Tomorrow?) examined the erosion of revolutionary ideals. In Film Ameriki Tawil (Long American Movie, 1980), he portrayed Lebanese society during the civil war. This was followed by Speaking of Dignity and Stubborn People (1993) and Had It Not Been for Hope (1994), among other influential works. These plays, known for their humour, irony, and emotional range, helped define what would come to be known as the 'Rahbani School' in musical theatre. Rahbani's political satire extended to radio. His shows—such as We Are Still Alive and Thank Almighty God (broadcast on National Radio of Lebanon in 1976–77)—offered scathing critiques of Lebanon's political elite and championed the voices of the marginalized during wartime. Following the news of his death, an outpouring of grief spread across the Arab world, with fans and prominent public figures mourning the loss. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described Rahbani's passing as a national loss, calling him 'not just an artist, but a complete intellectual and cultural phenomenon.' The AP quoted Aoun as saying Rahbani was 'a living conscience, a rebellious voice against injustice, and an honest mirror reflecting the suffering and marginalized.' He praised Rahbani's fusion of classical, jazz, and Oriental music, which he said 'opened new windows for Lebanese cultural expression' and elevated it globally. 'Ziad was a natural extension of the Rahbani family, which gave Lebanon much beauty and dignity,' the president added. Rahbani was mourned by large scores of his fans and many influencial figures across the Arab region. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
