‘Al Musawer’ magazine is claiming that Egypt’s radio and television networks have made a conscious decision to prohibit any airing of the legendary Um Kulthum’s national songs.
In an article entitled ’15 Unknown National Songs by Um Kulthum,’ the magazine said that although the songs have been recorded, the media stations have placed the songs in the ‘banned’ box.
The songs, in question, include an ode to former Egyptian leader Jamal Abdul Nasser, and a song about the end of unity between Syria and Egypt.
Meanwhile, according to the ‘Khaleej’ newspaper, it was reported that there are 13 more unaccounted for songs by Um Kultum, five of which depict the various political, historical events that took place throughout her career.
The Emirate daily cited former leader Sa’ed Zaghloul and Safi’a Zaghloul and two subjects that are mentioned in some of these songs, many of which were written by Rami Ahmad and composed by Al Qasubji.
The final song, said ‘Khaleej,’ was another ode to the then deceased Abdul Nasser in 1970, written by famous love poet Nizar Qabani and composed by Riyad Al Sanbati.
Those who witnessed the recording of the song, Waladna Jamal Abdul Nasser (Jamal Abdul Nasser, Our Son), claimed that Um Kulthum was frantically crying while recording the song-Albawaba.com.
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
