New generation of Arab women set their sights on global music stage

Egyptian musician Felukah
Short Url
Updated 14 December 2022
Follow

New generation of Arab women set their sights on global music stage

  • Palestinian Chilean singer Elyanna has quickly made a name for herself globally
  • Egyptian musician Felukah has been flipping the concept of Arabic hip hop

RIYADH: From Algerian singer Cheb Mami’s feature on Sting’s “Desert Rose” in 1999 to Marshmello’s 2022 collaboration with Lebanese songstress Nancy Ajram, Arab nuances have been slowly weaving their way into the fabric of Western music.

However, Arab women remain on the sidelines of the industry, with only a handful of prominent acts making waves.

In Saudi Arabia, Spotify’s annual Wrapped campaign revealed that no female musicians from the Kingdom made it onto the country’s top 10 streaming artists’ list, and only three Khaleeji tracks, two of them by Syrian artist Assala Nasri, were most streamed.




Palestinian chilean singer Elyanna

But with the regional music scene predicted to become the fastest growing in the world, Arab women are aiming to buck the trend through authenticity.

At the recent XP Music Futures conference, industry experts and artists shared their thoughts on projecting women on a global stage.

Palestinian Chilean singer Elyanna has quickly made a name for herself globally, and has captivated audiences with her mane of dark blonde curls and piercing green eyes.

Supported and discovered by Lebanese Canadian musician Massari and The Weeknd’s manager Wassim “Sal” Slaiby, she now has more than 400,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

Her sensual vocals and contemporary lyrics appeal to the masses as she bridges cultures in a way that is authentic yet mainstream and she is quickly becoming the voice of a multicultural generation.




Matthew Knowles

As opposed to many other upcoming artists, Elyanna remains distinctly an Arabic lyricist, incorporating her Palestinian roots into creating a unique genre of her own.

She told Arab News: “When I work on my music, I don’t think of it like, ‘oh, let’s do something crazy.’ I think of it as me. I’m 20 years old, and I just do what feels right to me.

“So of course, the generation is going to get that, because they’re going to connect with how a 20-year-old girl feels.”

The beauty about songs is they don’t look at if you’re male or female. Songs are songs. It starts with great songs.

Matthew Knowles

While she noted that she was too young to give advice on navigating the challenges that come with being a woman in the industry, she highlighted the word try within all her aspirations.

Elyanna said: “When you care, and you’re passionate, that’s all you need. I believe that Arab music is going to have an impact one day. It’s not going to be easy, obviously, nothing comes really easy. I do think our culture is so beautiful, there’s so much that the world did not see about our culture.

“Imagine we show them our dancers, the way they dance; so authentic, so beautiful. And look at the instruments we have, the melodies we have, the beats. You see a lot of Americans; they take them and make them hip hop beats. This says so much. This is such a start,” she added.

Mathew Knowles, the visionary manager behind the careers of Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, and Solange, the latter two to whom he is the father, spoke about how to be a successful female act in the global market. He said that while 75 percent of his clients over the years had been women, image was key in the music industry.

“The beauty about songs is they don’t look at if you’re male or female. Songs are songs. It starts with great songs.

“I wanted to also understand that with the culture, will the youth be able to look contemporary in their dress and can women be contemporary in their dress? Because if you’re going to compete against the world, that’s what you’re competing against, right?”

He added that language was also something to take into consideration; would an artist be singing solely in Arabic, English, or both?

Knowles said: “How are you going to approach the language barrier if you’re going to grow?”

Hailing from the region’s biggest rap scene, Egyptian musician Felukah has been flipping the concept of Arabic hip hop.

Inspired by global prose and poetry from the likes of poet Nayyirah Waheed and Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, her intriguing lyrics find a way to adapt to the nature of rap and hip hop music by mixing Arabic and English lyrics.

Felukah told Arab News: “What I’m really trying to do is represent myself in the most authentic way possible. And when people find that relatable, they like the music.”

She recently released Coca Cola’s 2022 FIFA World Cup anthem, an all-girl collaboration with Saudi musician Tamtam and Mexican singer Danna Paola, remaking Queen’s 1986 hit “A Kind of Magic,” and gave a captivating performance at XP Music Futures in November.

On her experience being a woman in the industry, Felukah said: “I get hate from men, and I get hate from women. A lot of the time I hear, ‘I don’t like women rapping, I like male voices.’

“That’s not a critique. You need to expand your range. You need to listen; there’s so many women rappers, there’s so many women singers, and the fact that a person is not familiar enough with women’s voices and hasn’t found at least one that they like is wild. So, I don’t accept that,” she added.

She noted that authentic Arabic music will not rise to the top in one song, but contemporary artists today, including herself, were working toward representation in a brighter future.


Saudi crown prince, Canadian prime minister discuss bilateral relations

Updated 5 sec ago
Follow

Saudi crown prince, Canadian prime minister discuss bilateral relations

RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shared a call on Thursday and discussed bilateral relations.
The pair also reviewed the situation in the Middle East, agreeing on the need for sustainable peace in the region.
Carney was victorious in a May election after taken over as prime minister in March following the resignation of his predecessor Justin Trudeau. 
The crown prince and Carney discussed energy security and deepening trade between Riyadh and Ottawa, according to a readout from the Canadian premier’s office. 
Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact, it read. 


Umm Al-Qura University: Training students to work with millions of Hajj pilgrims

Updated 39 min 24 sec ago
Follow

Umm Al-Qura University: Training students to work with millions of Hajj pilgrims

  • Makkah-based institute plays significant role in developing Hajj experience under Saudi Vision 2030
  • One of the institute’s most important contributions is its seasonal field studies, says official

MAKKAH: As part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to improve the experience of Hajj, a specialized institute at Makkah’s Umm Al-Qura University is training thousands of professionals to work with the millions of pilgrims expected to travel to the two holy cities.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research plays a significant role in national development efforts under Vision 2030.

Director Khalid Al-Ghamdi spoke to Arab News about how the institute is working to improve the experience of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.

“The institute remains a key driver in enhancing the pilgrimage experience through applied research and strategic capacity building,” Al-Ghamdi told Arab News.

“As an advanced scientific arm, it plays a vital role in improving the efficiency and safety of services at the Grand Mosque and the holy sites.”

HIGHLIGHTS

The institute also trains thousands of field personnel annually to serve pilgrims and Umrah performers, in roles including security and healthcare staff, drivers and volunteers.

Training is delivered through immersive rehearsals that closely mirror real-world conditions in the field.

The institute is a globally unique research center dedicated to serving a gathering of unparalleled scale and significance.

One of the institute’s most important contributions is its seasonal field studies, Al-Ghamdi said.

Carried out annually during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, these studies document and analyze real-time challenges in key areas such as crowd movement, transport flow, environmental hazards, emergency response and overall efficiency.

He added that the outcomes of these studies serve as a vital technical reference for authorities, offering data-driven recommendations that support more effective planning for future seasons — a crucial function as crowds throng at holy sites in high temperatures.

The institute also trains thousands of field personnel annually to serve pilgrims and Umrah performers, in roles including security and healthcare staff, drivers and volunteers.

Training is delivered through immersive rehearsals that closely mirror real-world conditions in the field.

The institute also operates in close coordination with various government entities, including the Ministry of Interior, Civil Defense and the Transport Authority, to align its training with official guidelines.

Al-Ghamdi also discussed the institute’s advisory role in shaping regulatory and operational frameworks for Hajj and Umrah services.

The advisory role includes evaluation studies and environmental impact assessments, which inform strategic decisions on infrastructure development and service quality enhancement.

The institute is a globally unique research center dedicated to serving a gathering of unparalleled scale and significance.

Its research priorities are uniquely tailored, setting it apart from its international counterparts through a specialized focus on the Hajj, the holy sites, the two holy cities and related areas including urban planning, environmental sustainability and humanitarian services.

Additionally, Umm Al-Qura University offers academic programs in medicine and administration, specifically designed to prepare students for managing the unique operational demands of the Hajj and Umrah seasons.
 


King Salman receives letter from Russian President Putin on Saudi-Russian ties

Updated 50 min 23 sec ago
Follow

King Salman receives letter from Russian President Putin on Saudi-Russian ties

  • Message was delivered to Deputy Foreign Minister Walid bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji during his meeting in Riyadh with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kozlov

RIYADH: King Salman received a letter from Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday regarding relations between Saudi Arabia and Russia, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The message was delivered to Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji during his meeting in Riyadh with Russian Ambassador Sergei Kozlov.

The two officials reviewed Saudi-Russian relations and discussed regional and international developments, as well as ongoing diplomatic efforts on key issues, SPA added.


Elevating the comfort and dignity of Hajj pilgrims

Updated 29 May 2025
Follow

Elevating the comfort and dignity of Hajj pilgrims

  • Premium amenities on offer for ease, safety, accessibility
  • Hajj operators say VIP packages within Islamic guidelines

JEDDAH: A number of premium amenities are available for Hajj pilgrims seeking greater comfort, safety and accessibility during the pilgrimage.

Some of the offerings include specialized tents, gourmet meal options, personal care kits, and 24/7 medical support.

Hajj operator Abdullah Ali bin Mahfouz spoke to Arab News about some of the new services introduced this year.

“We have enhanced our services in very small things,” he said. “Like the pillow, which now weighs 1,100 grams, and the mattresses, which are more comfortable for rest.

“We’ve also set up specialized tents that include mosque praying areas, which were previously located outside. One entire tent is equipped with massaging chairs to provide added comfort to the pilgrims.”

Abdullah Ali bin Mahfouz (left) spoke to Arab News about some of the new Hajj services on offer this year. Shown on the right are some of the premium services available for pilgrims include specialized tents, gourmet meal options, personal care kits and 24/7 medical support. (Supplied)

These upgrades allow pilgrims regardless of age or physical condition to perform their rituals with dignity.

“Our trained staff are available to support pilgrims at every stage, with special care provided for those with mobility needs.”

Wheelchair users are offered dedicated support during essential movement between the holy sites, and the operator also offers 24-hour meal and medical services.

“The Islamic sermon is provided in English, Arabic and Urdu, ensuring that everyone can understand and connect with the spiritual message,” Mahfouz added.

Mohammed Hamed, representing another Hajj operator, highlighted efforts to provide a comfortable pilgrimage.

“We have designed beds in a style with dividers so pilgrims are not disturbed by others in the tent,” he said.

“Each sleeping space includes charging points and reading lamps, allowing pilgrims to rest and recharge both physically and electronically.”

To minimize crowding and waiting, the company brings meals directly to pilgrims. “We will provide food to them wherever they are sitting ensuring a peaceful environment,” Hamed added.

Critics of VIP Hajj packages sometimes raise concerns about preserving the pilgrimage’s spiritual essence. However, providers insist these services are aligned with Islamic values and are merely accommodating varying needs among the faithful.

Salim Mansour, another Hajj service provider, defended the rise of VIP offerings. “The VIP packages are carefully designed to remain within the accepted religious guidelines of Islam.

“Many pilgrims opt for VIP Hajj packages to enjoy added conveniences, such as accommodation near the Jamarat area in Mina and dependable transportation services.”

These services are part of a wider initiative under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aimed at enhancing and modernizing the nation’s pilgrimage and tourism offerings.


 


Saudi Hajj gift association Hadiyah to serve 2.9 million pilgrims this year

Updated 29 May 2025
Follow

Saudi Hajj gift association Hadiyah to serve 2.9 million pilgrims this year

RIYADH: The Hajj and Mutamer’s Gift Charitable Association, or Hadiyah, has launched its field and creative service programs to benefit nearly 3 million pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

According to SPA, the initiative aims to enrich the spiritual journey of pilgrims by upholding human and moral values from the moment of arrival to departure. Hadiyah’s efforts extend across all points of entry — land, sea and air — facilitating access to Makkah, Madinah and the holy sites.
 
Turki Al-Hetershi, Hadiyah’s executive director, said that the association was preparing to serve 2.9 million Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and visitors this year.

He said that Hadiyah would focus on enhancing the pilgrim experience through innovative initiatives and strategic community partnerships.