Layla Murad began her musical career with the famous Egyptian composer/singer Mohammad Abdul Wahab. The songstress was making a routine visit to her composer father Munir Murad, where Layla would sometimes play the piano. Wahab heard her talent and was immediately impressed. The first time he heard her singing, Wahab predicted success for the young woman. However, her father was against the notion, since he wanted his young daughter to pursue her academic career. Murad’s father even refused to allow her to co-star with Wahab in a musical movie.
Soon after her success, Murad married actor Anwar Wajdi, who immediately took on the role of Murad’s program manager, until the two divorced some years later.
The actress, who was originally Jewish, reverted to Islam, as did all her family.
Following the Camp David agreement between Egypt and Israel, Murad was approached by an Israeli delegation, who asked her to revert back to Judaism. The singer, however, refused.
Meanwhile, her brother did revert back to his original religion and moved to Israel. Prior to moving to Egypt, the family lived in Tiberius.
Murad’s career includes a series of successful songs and musical films, including the songs Albi Daleeli (My Heart Tells Me) and Leih Khalitny Ahibbak (Why’d You Let Me Love You).
Murad’s movies include:
Al Hawa Wal Shabab (Love and Youth)
Bint Al Akaber (The Aristocrats’ Daughter)
Habib El Rouh (Love of My Soul)
Shuhada’a El Gharam (Martyrs of Passion)
Ghazl El Banat (Cotton Candy)
Albi Daleeli (My Heart Tells Me)
Layla Bint El Aghnia’a (Layla the Daughter of the Rich)
Layla Bint El Reef (Layla the Mountain Girl)
Layla Bint El Fuqara’a (Layla the Daughter of the Poor)
Layla Fil Thalam (Layla in the Dark)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
