Photo: Screenshot from Amal Maher’s song Etradet on YouTube, from the album Haga Gheir.
Known for her strong vocal abilities and emotional expression, Maher has been one of the leading Arab female voices over the past two decades.
Before achieving widespread fame, Maher first captured attention with her powerful voice and unique ability to perform Um Kulthoum's repertoire.
This year, the Arab Music Festival and Conference highlights the enduring influence of Um Kulthoum on Arabic music. Maher's role in opening the event reflects this focus.
Her concert programme will include a selection of Um Kulthoum's most well-known songs, showcasing Maher's ability to balance fidelity to the original works with her own personal style.
Beyond Um Kulthoum's repertoire, Maher has carved out her own path in Arabic music.
She has released four albums: Isa'lni Ana (Ask Me, 2006), A'raf Mneen (How Could I Know?, 2011), Welad El Neharda (Sons of Today, 2015), and Asl El Ehsas (The Origin of Feelings, 2019).
After a period of temporary withdrawal from the scene, Maher made a strong comeback with several concerts in 2024 and eventually released her latest album Haga Gheir (Something Different) in July 2025.
In this album, Maher collaborated with a select group of renowned lyricists, including many tracks written by Nader Abdullah, as well as composers such as Madian, Mohamady, Ahmed Zaeem, Amr El Shazly, Islam Refaat, and Ayman Bahgat Kamar. These collaborations helped bring diversity and richness to the album's style and content.
Arab Music Festival and Conference
The 33rd Arab Music Festival and Conference will take place from 16 October to 25.
Egypt's largest annual event dedicated to showcasing Arabic music, the Festival presents a diverse selection of concerts featuring Egyptian and Arab musicians, ensembles, and orchestras, taking place on multiple stages in Cairo, Alexandria, and Damanhour.
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