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Birth of Umm Kulthum
Umm Kulthum was a very famous Egyptian singer, considered as one of the greatest of her time. Her actual birth date is unknown. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124612595 -
Move to Cairo
Umm Kulthum grew up as the daughter of a rural village cleric, and moved to Cairo at a young age, as many people encouraged her and her father to go there to further her career in the entertainment business. http://almashriq.hiof.no/egypt/700/780/umKoulthoum/biography.html -
Umm Kulthum in the 1930s
Umm Kulthum began to make commercial recordings, her voice had immediately caused notice in the press for being exceptionally strong and vibrant. Her musical skill and financial stability also increased in the 1930s. http://almashriq.hiof.no/egypt/700/780/umKoulthoum/biography.html -
Egyptian National Radio
One of Umm Kulthum's commitments expanded to include the Egyptian National Radio in 1934. http://almashriq.hiof.no/egypt/700/780/umKoulthoum/biography.html -
Umm Kulthum Film Career
Umm Kulthum started her career in films in 1935. http://almashriq.hiof.no/egypt/700/780/umKoulthoum/biography.html -
Birth of Fairuz
Fairuz, or Nouhad Haddad, was born in 1935. Like Umm Kulthum, her exact birthday is unknown. Fairuz was one of the greatest Lebanese female singers in the Middle East. http://almashriq.hiof.no/lebanon/700/780/fairuz/legend/biography.html -
Fairuz and the Lebanese Radio Station
Her father saved some of his income so she could afford an education. Fairuz's voice was immediately discovered by a teacher from the Lebanon Conservatory. The man, Muhammad Fleifel was looking for new children to sing national hymns on the Lebanon Radio, and helped to coach Fairuz on how to use her vocals. He also helped Fairuz enter the National Conservatory. http://almashriq.hiof.no/lebanon/700/780/fairuz/legend/biography.html -
The Golden Age of Umm Kulthum
The 1940s to the 1950s were considered the "Golden Age" of Umm Kulthum. Umm Kulthum was at the top of her artistic accomplishments, in control of all of her endeavors, and highly influential in the criitcal medium of radio broadcasting. http://almashriq.hiof.no/egypt/700/780/umKoulthoum/biography.html -
Fairuz's Rise to Fame
Fairuz collaborated with 'Assi Rahbani, Halim al-Rumi, and Mansour Rahbani to create the song "Itab" (Blame) which launched their career and established Fairuz as a major singer in the Arab world overnight. http://almashriq.hiof.no/lebanon/700/780/fairuz/legend/biography.html -
Fairuz Married
Fairuz was eventually married to 'Assi Rahbani in July 1954. http://almashriq.hiof.no/lebanon/700/780/fairuz/legend/biography.html -
Fairuz's First Audience
Fairuz faced an audience in the open for the first time in the summer of 1957. People were spellbound after hearing her sing, and from that moment on, she would go on to sing and act in major musicals. http://almashriq.hiof.no/lebanon/700/780/fairuz/legend/biography.html -
Umm Kulthum in Television
Umm Kulthum started her television career in the 1960s. http://almashriq.hiof.no/egypt/700/780/umKoulthoum/biography.html -
Famous Songs-Umm Kulthum
Some of Umm Kulthum's well known songs are "Enta Omri" (https://youtu.be/XPGHpBOt5sE) "Alf Lela We Lela" (https://youtu.be/sjo6ajQ6uTs) and "Fakarouni" (https://youtu.be/0z_YBP3oHUo) -
Birth of Assala Nasri
Assala Nasri was born in Damascus, Syria to a middle class couple. Assala's father was a respected singer and composer. http://www.assala.ws/biography/ -
Umm Kulthum's Health Declines
Umm Kulthum suffered a gall bladder attack which postponed her March and April concerts, and the following winter, she also suffered a serous kidney infection forcing cancellations of two more of her concerts. http://almashriq.hiof.no/egypt/700/780/umKoulthoum/biography.html -
Assala Nasri's Early Career
Assala began her musical career performing patriotic, religious, and children's songs at the age of four. http://www.assala.ws/biography/ -
Umm Kulthum's Death
Umm Kulthum died of heart failure on February 3, 1975. The crowd of people who showed up filled the streets of Cairo, and her funeral was held at the Umar Muakram mosque in central Cairo, the site for well-known Muslims in the city.
http://almashriq.hiof.no/egypt/700/780/umKoulthoum/biography.html -
Death of Assala Nasri's Father
Assala Nasri's father died from internal bleeding caused by a car accident. At age 17, she helped care for her siblings with her mother. http://www.assala.ws/biography/ -
Famous Songs-Fairuz
Some of Fairuz's popular songs are "Ya Tayr" (https://youtu.be/EBSmSDhJKHQ) "Le Beirut"(https://youtu.be/dIMkIkHae9w) and "Kifak Inta" (https://youtu.be/PLzMl_Qpn3U) -
Assala Nasri's Debut
Assala Nasri debuted with her first album, Law Ta'rafou in 1991. It was an instant hit with songs like "Ya Sabra Yana" and "Samehtak Ketir". SHe quickly cemented her presence in the Arabic industry. http://www.assala.ws/biography/ -
Umm Kulthum's Legacy
After Umm Kulthum's death, she still managed to inspire other musicians like Bob Dylan and Led Zeppelin. http://www.arabicgenie.com/2013/06/arab-singers-the-top-10-of-all-time -
Fairuz's Legacy
Fairouz herself has influenced the Arabic world greatly, but she had married one of the two Rahbani brothers, who were also well known for develpoing a distinct style of Lebanese music at the time. Fairuz and her husband 'Assi Rahbani also had a son named Ziad before 'Assi died. Fairuz is still alive today, and continues to inspire many. Her legacy lives on. http://almashriq.hiof.no/lebanon/700/780/fairuz/legend/biography.html -
Famous Songs-Assala Nasri
Some of Assala Nasri's well-known songs are "Samahtak Keteer" (https://youtu.be/iuFa6ccgPTs) "Arod Leeh" (https://youtu.be/52Uf9cZkD1U) and "El Ward El Balady" (https://youtu.be/1OVMf51WS_I) -
Assala Nasri's First Marriage
Assala had two kids from her first marriage with Ayman Al Dahabi. They divorced in 2005. http://www.assala.ws/biography/ -
Assala Nasri's Second Marriage
Assala is now currently married to Tarek Al Aryaan, a famous Palestinian American director. She has two kids from her marriage with him, and currently lives in Egypt. http://www.assala.ws/biography/ -
Assala Nasri's Legacy
Assala was granted Bahraini citizenship after a spectacular performance in the operetta Love and Loyalty in celebration of Bahrain's independence. Assala has also won many awards, including Best Artist in Dubai in 1994, Award for the Middle East, Egypt from 1998-2000, and Best Female Singer award for the year 2005-2006 AD. http://www.assala.ws/biography/
