Arabic Arts Forum

Eid Mubarak (without Mubarak :) ) !

2011-11-07T14:48:00.004+03:00

My beautiful henna for Eid El Adha :)

Kol sana w ento taybeen :))

Sameh El-Soreity, Vice President (Actors Syndicate)

2011-11-06T09:01:00.005+03:00

Sameh el Soreity was recently voted vice president of actors syndicate in what was said to be the fairest elections to take place in the syndicate's history.

The elections came after the syndicate's former president Ashraf Zaki (married to TV actress Rojina) was forced to step down due to strong remarks he made against the revolution and protesters back in January. His anti-revolution stance was interpreted as a support for Mubarak's falling regime.

Although Ashraf Zaki has managed to create a strong following that will vote for him regardless, he claims that he has chosen to step down because he cares about the syndicate and does not want to be the reason behind any division that may occur between the actors due to him staying.

Sameh Al Soreity (new vice president) has a bachelors degree from Ain Shams and was a musician prior to his acting days. He has participated in may stage plays during the 80's and 90's, a favourite one being "El 7ob Ba'ad El Mdawla" which he starred in with Laila Elwy and Hala Sedki.

Sameh El Soreity also held a position as general manager for Egypt's National Folk Troupe (Qawmeya) for a few years in the late 2000's. During his short term as the troupe's GM, he helped the dancers develop which led the troupe to rise again to become one of the best in Egypt after it has hit the rocks. Unfortunately he quit his position shortly thereafter which resulted in many good dancers dropping out of the troupe.

Sameh El Soreity is truly a lovely person on both a personal and professional scale, he is important in what he does yet he is so incredibly humble. He is known for being nice and treating everyone the same.

A true artist and I hope there will be a significant improvement in the deteriorating acting scene with him as the syndicate's new leader.

Is Belly Dancing Dead? The Arab Perspective

2010-12-11T15:19:00.005+03:00

It has been said that 'golden age style' of belly dance is dead along with all the dancers who performed it. Is this true?

FALSE. It would be like saying Classical Arabic music is dead because the singers who performed it are no longer with us.
That statement is untrue and proof is that if we turn on our TV sets, we can always see a clip of golden age dancers and singers at any given time because this is what the ARABIC SPEAKING viewers want to see.
There are also claims that worldwide belly dancing is as popular as ever because there are more festivals than ever before. Again, this is false. It would be like saying the quality of Chinese products has become more desirable because there are more Chinese products than ever before.

There is no point behind 50 million workshops and festivals when the quality of dancing is piss poor and when just about everybody and their grandmother claims to be an Artist.
Those festivals are mostly geared towards Western dancers who barely scratch the surface of understanding the cultures of origin, no matter how many badly pronounced Arabic words they try to show off on an online dance forum.
These dancers have no interaction with real Arab people (and NO, restaurant customers and ULA hubbies do not count) outside a limited pool of dancers and dance instructors who are aggressively marketing a product to paying customers.
Furthermore, belly dancing cannot possibly be getting more popular as an artform when audiences are diminishing rapidly and the only people going to watch a belly dancer's performance are other so-called pro belly dancers.

Save Me From the Creepy A-rab!

2010-12-10T21:34:00.023+03:00

"Help! A creepy A-rab added me on facebook and it's so hard to decide what to do, so I'm starting a thread about it on a dance forum!"

That was the latest worthless discussion topic on the BD Misinformation Central. What is it with Arab men that makes these women go crazy?

If the guy is annoying her that much, then its better to not engage him in any conversations, or better yet DELETE him! Yes, defriending someone she does not know on a social networking website. What a novel idea! But apparently it is more fun to start a thread and have everyone talk about what irresistible temptresses belly dancers are, and how Arab men go weak in the knees and lose control of themselves when they see them in their seductive Sheherazade gear.

Middle aged, overweight, amateur belly dancers. The weakness of EVERY Arab male!

How Dare They Not Respect My ART!!!!!

2010-11-10T16:22:00.091+03:00

Here is a reality check on what a fundamentalist, unappreciative audience of "Muslims" looks like.

Notice how, despite the dancer's blingy half-naked costume, no one in the audience is paying attention to her AT ALL. She had to go to the tables one by one just to get people to look at her.

And then there's the disgusting part at 1:10 minutes.
This is what a woman's worth is to the very few audience members who acknowledged her- a filthy rolled up bill shoved in her costume!
What kind of parent would want their child to see something like that?

Furthermore, this 'dancer' is not particularly talented and clearly does not understand Eastern music. All she does is prance around swaying her hips from side to side, making odd snake-y movements with her arms while totally forgetting what the music is there for. And she calls that dancing!

Sorry, but "Muslims" are clearly not responsible for the 'cheap stripper in a bella' stereotype.

It is really sad and appalling that someone who claims to be a Middle Eastern dancer would make such racist comments about the very people whose culture she is supposedly representing. How ignorant of her to think that all Muslim women are veiled, or that if a Muslim woman is veiled then she MUST be fundamentalist and anti-belly dancing.
Let her re-post that drivel, but change Muslim to "Black" or "Jew" and that conversation would have been very different.

Last but not least, this ethically and morally confused 'dancer' and her supporters seem to forget that the main purpose of a restaurant is to serve food, what a novel idea that is! and that people mainly go to restaurants to eat and not to watch dancers.

But I can see where her frustration is coming from- she was obviously under the illusion that no living being can resist the exotic charm of a Bella-rina, only to be brought down to reality that patrons are more interested in their falafel sandwiches, as it is apparent from the video.
However, it is ethically and morally wrong to take it out on a woman whose only crime was that she probably wanted to enjoy a meal with her child without having to deal with a so-called dancer in her face.

Bottom line is, it is not the customer's responsibility to ask if there is a belly dance show, or what time, or who is dancing, etc.. The main priority at an eating venue is the kabab and homos, not a belly dancer.

So, unless you're on the menu, stop complaining!

Not The First Belly Dancer

2010-10-03T23:38:00.012+03:00

Tahia Carioca was not the first bellydancer ever to appear in an Egyptian film. The first bellydancers to appear in an Egyptian movie were Bamba Kashar and Mary Mansour nine years before Taheya in 1926, and it was the Silent movie Leyla. This was the first full length film ever made in Egypt and it was produced by actor Stephan Rosti. It's not known whether copies of it still exist.

Another film, In the Land of Tutankhamon, is said to have been made a bit earlier than Leyla...but people dispute this still. That one didn't have a bellydancer in it though.

*Originally posted on the Forum

Nawal el Zoghby - Mona Einah

2010-09-13T18:30:00.004+03:00

منى عينه يقابلني
وهمه بس يكلمني
وحلمه صار فالدنية
يجيني ويعتذر مني
بعد ما كنت اناديله
يجرحني واعديله
جا اليوم اللي يتعذر
ويمسح دمع منديله

غروره بنفسه و اعجابه
هوا اللي ذله و جابه
تغليه و دلاله كان مظاهر زيف كذابه

سهر ليله علشاني
بكى حبي و ناداني
و لاني في حياته الروح
صعبه لو لحظه ينساني

منى عينه يقابلني
و همه بس يكلمني
و همه صار بالدنيا
يجيني و يعتذر مني

نعم بينت اسراره
و عيشته على ناره
و تركته بعدها حاير رضايا شاغل افكاره
تحير و انشغل باله
شقى بعدي و تعب حاله
نهايتها رجع ندمان بعد همه و ترحاله

His biggest dream is to meet me
His only concern is to talk to me
His only dream in life is
to return to me and apologize to me
After I have been calling out for him
he hurt me and I let it pass
the day has come for him to apologize
and to wipe his own tears

His arrogance and self pride
is what humiliated him and brought him back
His sweet words were only fake appearances
He stayed awake all night for me
He cried "I love you" and called out for me
And because I'm the soul in his life
it Is hard for a second to forget me

Yes, I revealed all of his secrets
and I let him boil from the inside
I left him confused after that
He is lost and preoccupied
He is struggling after me and tired
In the end he came back regretting that he ever left

The AAF Book of Terminology

2010-09-05T17:24:00.033+03:00

ULA
abbreviation
· Urban Legend Arab

1: The one being forever quoted online. " An Arab once told me..."

2: A person frequently quoted as a representative of an entire group.

3: People who alienate real Arabs on forums and thus resort to quoting their imaginary "Arab" friends every now and then.

4: The way people justify the ridiculous things they say or do.

Examples of ULA:

My Arab friend would do this! (also known as U.L.A name dropping)

Dammit, U.L.A. is at it again!

Oh, crap, they're quoting U.L.A. again!

I think she just wanted people to know that she has a "very close Arab friend". In her mind that gives her clout. She has a U.L.A.
However, when she was questioned about what the "Arab friend" meant, she was unable to really explain it.

After reading a book by Ayaan Hirsi, I am now an expert on Islam and the "Muslim Mind"! Thanks to this ULA I am no longer a bigot!

The Complete Idiot's Guide

2010-09-04T12:59:00.009+03:00

Ramadan in Arabic = رمضان
It is the ninth month of Hijri (the Islamic calendar), in which Muslims around the world fast from Fagr (sunrise) till Maghrib (sunset) every day for one month.

The beginning of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the new moon, and it's end is determined by the sighting of the new moon as well.
The end of Ramadan is called Eid El Fitr, in which Arab Muslims mark the end of fasting by eating a sweet pastry called Ka'ak.

Some people like to name their sons Ramadan, which is a common name for men in Egypt.

*Posted by KF in the Arabic Arts Forum Encyclopedia.

Wael Gasaar - New Album

2010-09-04T00:13:00.031+03:00

Release Date: August 2010
Genre: Religious/Ramadan
Number of tracks: 30
Title: Roba'eyaat Fi Hob Allah
Rating: 2.5/5 stars

Click Here to listen to full album.

Angham - New Album

2010-09-01T23:07:00.035+03:00

Release Date: August 2010
Genre: Religious/Ramadan
Number of songs: 10
Title: El Hekaya Mohamadeya
Rating: 4/5 stars

Tracks:

Amina
Safeya
Om Aymen
Fatima
Aisha
Zainab
Halima
Om Emara
Asma
Maria

Click here to listen to the full album.

Observing Ramadan - The Big Picture

2010-08-31T22:26:00.021+03:00

The Boston Globe's series "The Big Picture" on Observing Ramadan consists of high quality photos of people observing Ramadan throughout the world.

The picture quality is amazing but my only complaint is that I wish they had shown more diversity by including images from Arab countries, Turkey and Africa. I also thought some of this year's images look very similar to the ones from last year and the year before. But aside from that, the pictures are beautiful and they really showcase Ramadan's spirit and traditions.

The Big Picture - Observing Ramadan

The Big Picture - Ramadan 2009

The Big Picture - Ramadan 2010

Hanan - Banoota

2010-08-30T23:01:00.009+03:00

البنت البنوتة
ام عيون حلوين
عايشة لها حدتوتة
من يجي شهرين
مبقتش سغنتوتة
حتم العشرين

لو عايزة اتسلى
كان يبقى من الاولي
اسمع لي اغنية او أقرأ لي مجلة
انا عايشة حدوتة من يجي شهرين
اللي قلبي مواعدو
بيفكر لواحدو
يشركني في افكارو
مش يمكن اساعدو
مبقتش سغنتوتة
حتم العشرين

حايرانة وبتغنو
مشغولة وبتغنو
خايفة تكونو في حيرتي
يا أصحابي بتتغنو
مبقتش احكلكم
حأحكي لناس تانيين

Translation:

The girl, the banoota
the one with beautiful eyes
She's living a fairytale
since about two months ago
She's no longer a little one
she turns 20 soon

If I wanted to have fun only
I would have done so already
via listening to songs or reading a magazine
I'm living a fairytale
since about two months ago
The one who has a date with my heart
likes to engage me in his thinking
as I might be able to help him
I'm no longer a little one
I turn 20 soon

I'm preoccupied and you (plural) are singing
I'm afraid you are singing about me
I'll no longer tell you (plural) anything else
I'll tell other people

Hanan - El Shams El Garee'a

2010-08-30T12:45:00.010+03:00

For those who were born in the 80's, this song will bring back a lot of beautiful memories....

The bold sun

and the delicate breeze

and the innocent smile
to the naughty wave
in the seas of Alexandria
we miss it, ya habibi

We love to go down to the beach
where the waves hug us in affection
and we love the coast and make
out of the sand a soft pillow
and fast time flies by
we meet tomorrow early
to make of our longing an umbrella
ya habibi

The joy and the most beautiful place
is the cornishe of Alexandria
as we walk we glance
the reflection of our laughs in the water
and the sun in dusk
renews its date with the lovers
and promises to return again to us..
ya habibi

Lyrics:

الشمس الجريئة
والنسمة الرقيقة
والضحكة البريئة
للموجة الشقية
في بحور اسكندرية
وحشانا يا حبيبي

بنحب البحر وننزل
يحضننا الموج بمودة
ونحب الشط و نعمل
من الرمل الناعمة مخدة
وبسرعة الوقت بيجري
نتقابل بكره بدري
نفتح بالشوق شمسية
يا حبيبي

الفرحة و أجمل مطرح
كورنيش اسكندرية
واحنا بنتمشى ونلمح
ضحكة قلبنا في المية
والشمس في المغارب
بتواعد الحبايب
وتقول من بدري جاية لنا
جاية لنا يا حبيبي

Taheya Carioca Throws Her Shoe, But Not at Bush!

2010-08-29T22:45:00.022+03:00

Taheya Carioca once threw her shoe at Susan Hayward at the Cannes Film Festival in 1956 after the Hollywood actress made a comment against Egypt, according to the following article:

"Famous for dazzling performance and dances, Taheya Karioka appeared in several Egyptian cinema classics. At the 1956 Cannes Film Festival, where Karioka's movie was being screened, Karioka almost pounced on Hollywood star Susan Hayward after the latter made a comment against Egypt. The trembling Hayward fled just in time before Karioka could give her a severe beating. It is said that Karioka's shoe went flying in the direction of Hayward, who deftly dodged it. The shoe ended up hitting one of the festival's guests."

Nice move, Taheya! This should be the fate of every self-righteous Western woman who allows herself to speak against Egypt or on the behalf of Egyptian and Muslim women....

تستاهل الضرب بالجزمة القديمة على وشها!!!!!!!

translation: she deserves a big old shoe thrown in her face!!!!

Shaaby Cool

2010-08-28T23:00:00.022+03:00

AAF Quote of the Day:

"I am puzzled by the sudden interest in so-called "sha'abi" dance, some people make it sound like the Arabic term was derived from rocket science. Is it really that difficult to comprehend?

There is nothing more uncomfortable than watching what appears to be a gross caricature of lower class Egyptians...
emulated by outsiders who not only come from a different social environment but a different culture as well, particularly one that looks down on Egyptians as "Third World"
I suppose it never occurred to some that there could be more to the lives of "sha'abi" people than a pair of washed jeans or a cheap Lycra dress!"

Zamzam

2010-08-28T00:30:00.014+03:00

New exclusive video from Nehal Nabil.

Street Children

2010-08-26T07:45:00.027+03:00

Nehal Nabil is an up-and-coming Egyptian singer with a spectacular voice. I think very few people know that Nehal is the voice behind the titre "Awlad el Shaware3" that was broadcast in Ramadan 4 years ago.
This is a very touching video collage that someone put together showing neglected street children from around the world, with the voice of Nehal Nabil.

The heart of streets, are gates and iron railings
and children, lots of them with begging hands
Have mercy, sir! and ask "do you want more?"
however slaves they may be, they are street children

Cry, my dear eyes
for the poor one without a mother that
embraces and understands
Cry for the poor boy without a father
how will he even know the meaning of love

The heart of a stone softens
everything except you, human
although we are the ones thirsty
for love and kindness

O creator of senses, in monsters or humans
may you soften the hearts of people
towards those who are still young and innocent

My innocent heart is deprived of hugs and affection
when shall the day come
that I will get to hug you, mother

قلب الشوارع بوابات و حديد
و عيال كتيرة تايه ماده الإيد
ارحم يا سيد أو بيه
و قول هل مزيد
دول مهما كانوا عبيد ولاد شوارع

و ابكي يا عيني
ع اللي ماله أم
ترحم و تفهم
شكوته و تضم
و ابكي و سبيني يا عيني
ع اللي ماله أب
ازاي هيعرف
حتى معنى الحب

قلب الحجر بيلين
إلا انت يا انسان
اللي احنا عطشانين
عطف و حب و حنان

يا خالق الاحساس
ف الوحش و الاشخاص
حنن قلوب الناس
على اللي لسه صغار

قلبي البرىء محروم
م اللقمة و الضمة
امتى هيجي اليوم
و احضنك ياما
جسيني حسيني
سمي على جبيني
نار الفراق تهدى
بين غربتي و بيني

قلب الشوارع بوابات و حديد
و عيال كتيرة تايه ماده الإيد
ارحم يا سيد أو بيه
و قول هل مزيد
دول مهما كانوا عبيد ولاد شوارع

Debates on Muslim Women's Issues Minus the Input of Muslim Women?

2010-08-26T04:54:00.047+03:00

An AAF member shares her experiences with this phenomenon:

"On a public non-Muslim forum's thread on Niqab ban, I had mentioned that I, as a Muslim woman, have in depth talks with Hijabis all the time who choose to wear the head covering. and someone actually said that it didn't count as a choice because they believe they could go to hell if they didn't wear it. and I responded but they choose to believe they could go to hell.
and she responded that it still wasn't free choice because that these women were raised from an early age hearing that.
and I said what about converts and women whose parents did NOT raise them to wear hijab--and I went on to mention the names of 10 women I personally know who converted to Islam and wear hijab and 10 women I personally know who come from different Muslim backgrounds whose parents were adverse to them wearing hijab.

She said that someone had obviously told them about hellfire at some point, so it was like a loaded gun being held to their head (you like that one? fear of hellfire which we can't see=real, physical loaded gun being held to your head)
Then a few posts later, after another poster mentioned a woman she knows in Egypt (Egypt????) being pressured/ harassed for not wearing a hijab (in Egypt? at least 75% of the Hijabis I know from Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Pakistan, and Lebanon created moving to the U.S. to be able to shake the social stigma and put it on. or at least put it on without high heels, tight jeans/ fishtail skirt, and make-up) I mean I guess its possible in a community that has a lot of Hijabis or if her family all wears it, I'm no expert, but I've never personally heard that before... and I know a lot of Egyptian women who don't fit this stereotype.
Anyways, then the "loaded gun" poster actually has the nerve to say that is what real freedom is... going against family and societal pressure?
well what about the 20 women I mentioned who all live in the United States and whose Arab or non-Muslim families freaked out when they started covering? So even though these women get flak from their families, and stared at every day, every time they go out, and sometimes even called names--they're not choosing to wear it because someone, at some point told them they could go to hell fire if they didn't."

El Misaharaty: a Ramadan Drumming Tradition

2010-08-25T05:56:00.048+03:00

He still pounds on the drums enthusiastically as he calls out people of each district by name, while cheering children wave at him from behind the balconies, some come out behind him echoing his famous words.. "Wake up and praise the eternal one."

During Ramadan, the Misaharaty becomes the most famous figure and an important feature across streets and neighbourhoods in Muslim countries. Despite hundreds of years, he still holds a distinctive role in creating that special Ramadan atmosphere.

Modern day Misaharati in Syria

First caption: Misaharaty in traditional clothes walks through neigbourhood beating his drums and calling out his famous words "Wake up....".
Second caption: Irritated resident looks out his window and says "Go find another job! Nobody is sleeping, everyone is staying up watching the series!"

The Misaharaty tradition began in the days of the Fatimid era after the ruler issued an order that people sleep early following Taraweeh, and that the soldiers would pass by houses themselves knocking on people's doors to awaken them for suhoor. The first true Misaharaty is said to be Otba ibn Ishaq, a ruler in Egypt who used to come out by himself in the city to wake people up.

Though the Misaharaty emerged quickly in the Muslim community, it did not become an official profession until the time of the Abbasid era, where the residents of Baghdad invented folk arts and literature to be specially used for singing during suhoor time in Ramadan, even though history has not kept us except a few examples.

It is said that the Misaharaty of Baghdad used various musical instruments in his work to call on residents of the neighbourhood. Furthermore, the Misaharaty memorized the names of residents' children and would dole out compliments in hope of getting a reward to be obtained within the first days of Eid el Fitr.

While it is true that conditions have changed and the Misaharaty has disappeared in many neighbourhoods, however, some sha3bi and rural areas in Muslim countries still retain this ancient tradition. The profession is inherited by the Misaharaty's children to be passed on to generations to come.

As it began to fade away over the decades, the Misaharaty profession was transformed into an artform by poet Fouad Haddad and the pioneer of Egyptian music, Sayed Mekkawi. In the 20th century, the duo re-ignited the tradition when the Misaharaty was launched on the radio and for the first time, people would gather around their sets waiting for the Misaharaty to come on, after being accustomed to hear him knock on their doors.

With the spread of television in the 1960's, Sayed Mekkawi's Misaharaty was re-launched, blending the art of tasheer with preaching and chanting in love of the country, where Mr. Haddad added a political and social dimension when he said, "Every piece of my country is a piece of my liver... piece of a mawaal... and my occupation is a Misaharaty... through the streets of my country I wander."

Sayed Mekkawi - El Misaharaty

TIME Magazine on Islamophobia*

2010-08-24T11:38:00.021+03:00

The upcoming TIME magazine issue cover features the following statement: "Is America Islamophobic? What the anti mosque uproar tells us about how the U.S. regards Muslims" - with that is also featured a simple picture of a crescent in the colours of the American flag.

The title is very telling, could care less for the graphic.

*Is·lam·opho·bia: an irrational fear or prejudice towards Islam and Muslims

I Wish if More Companies Made Ads like This!

2010-08-23T02:29:00.020+03:00

Generally I'm not a big fan of commercials but I cannot resist a playful subtle television advert that makes me smile, like the campaign that Mobinil did during Ramadan last year. The campaign consists of 3 commercials, all shot in a 1960's setting accompanied with tunes of Classic films such as "Ya Wad Ya T'eel" from Khali Balak min Zouzou and Abd El Halim's "Do'o el Shamasi" from Abi Fawk el Shagara, except that the original words have been replaced with funny lyrics that depict typical Ramadan scenarios.

Whoever Gave Her the Name Eden Must be Crazy!

2010-08-20T22:10:00.056+03:00

Thank you S for sharing a link to this story.

If you live in a country that specializes in demolishing homes, building settlements, killing civilians, destroying fields, grabbing lands, stealing water resources etc.. and if your daily job consists of blindfolding, tormenting, mocking, humiliating and murdering people you believe aren't inherently superior,
and if you enjoy posing in front of a camera like an idiot while you are doing all these things, it might be a good idea not to post pictures documenting your inhumanity on Facebook!
These horrendous pictures were posted on Eden Abergil's facebook profile, in an album titled "Army... the most beautiful time of my life :)"

Comment underneath the photo:
"LOL all my loves in one picture!!! My heart is pumping hard!!!"

Eden did not bother apologising because apparently she doesn't feel she has done anything wrong, but instead she expressed her "anger" at all the attacks and declared "I would gladly kill Arabs - even slaughter them"

She even got into an argument online with one of the blog authors. I won't post all the garbage that she wrote but you can read the whole conversation here, and this is one of her comments:

Eden Abergil: I’m for a Zionist Jewish state! I’m protecting what was mine since forever!! I won’t get with you into religious statements etc but I’m declared and defined as a proud Jew and as a proud Jew it’s my duty to fight for everything that belongs to me there’s a picture of me they published that says it all in my opinion “if it wasn’t for her they’d murder your mother” and I’m not talking just about me but about all the soldiers guarding and protecting us!!! There are no laws in war!! I hate Arabs and wish them all the worst and it would be fun for me to kill them or even massacre them you can’t forget what they’re doing nevermind the reason I’m just on the side of the Jewish people!!! And this will last forever.

The irony in all of this is so thick I am almost lost for words. She seems so upset that people are mocking her and posting her pictures online without permission when she did the EXACT same thing! She was more than happy to take these pictures of prisoners and put them on facebook without their knowledge.

Here is another one of Eden's photos with comments..

Adi Tal: “You’re the sexiest like that…”
Eden Abergil: “Yeah I know lol mummy what a day it was look how he completes my picture, I wonder if he’s got Facebook! I have to tag him in the picture! lol”

Shani Cohen: “LOL you psycho… I wonder who’s the photographerrrrr”
Shani Cohen: “Eden… he’s got a hard-on for you… lol for sure!!!”

Eden Abergil: Lol no honey he’s got a hard-on for youuu this is why you took that picture lol you took my picture!!!!”

Is Tipping Belly Dancers Customary in Egyptian Culture?

2010-08-20T09:46:00.028+03:00

AAF member King Farouk answers this question.

"About the dancers in Egypt and tipping customs:

Tipping is a custom in the sha3bi areas and sha3bi wedding parties only. It is quite common at these places to bring in a low class dancer [see the dancer arrested with singer Sa3d el Soghayer on youtube] and people would normally tip her either by showering money over her head or slipping a bill in her bra or her skirt.

Furthermore, people that shower money (or shove it inside the dancer's bra or skirt) can be found at seedy night clubs as well. These night clubs hire dancers who are in fact not dancers at all, but they are one step above hookers, which is the case with many night clubs in El Haram street here [ the pyramids street ] where drunken people normally tip the dancers in this manner.

In both cases, whether it is tipping dancers in sha3bi areas or in seedy night clubs, there is usually a designated male- either one of the band members or someone that works at the sala- whose job is to collect this money from the floor. Later on, this money is divided among the band members, the dancer, and the dancer's manager or agent. The money does NOT all go to the dancer.

In contrast, this "custom" does not happen anywhere inside respectable venues such as 5 star hotels, cruise boats, and family-oriented wedding parties that can afford to hire good dancers. At these places, it is not a custom at all to tip the dancer. I have seen Fifi Abdo and Dina dance live at wedding parties here, no one was allowed to tip them or shower money over their heads.
Similarly, in good hotels, it is not allowed at all to tip the dancer or even go near her while she is dancing.

Professional dancers who are well known artists to the general public absolutely do not accept tips."

*Disclaimer: this is KF's exact post and edited only for grammar and spelling*

Ramy Ayach & Adaweya - ElNas El Ray'ah

2010-08-19T09:42:00.031+03:00

I really like it when songs have a concept and not just endlessly talking about the circle of love. There is something very real about the message of this song, by Ramy Ayach and Ahmed Adaweya. I had previously dedicated it to the lovely & always smiling members of AAF, and now I dedicate it to anyone whose ever faced an unpleasant situation and decided to express their anger with revenge and feuds. Unless its about a tragic death in the family or something catastrophic like that, you only need a minute or a month at the most to forgive, forget, and get over it!

Enjoy the song and the translation!

w ba7eb el nas el ray2a
I love the laid back, easy going people,

eli bted7ak 3ala toul
those who are always in for a good laugh

ama el 3alam el mday2a,
As for the drama loving people,

ana la2 maleesh fi dol
no I'm not into them

w maleesh fi dam3 la la
I'm not into tears, no no,

wala fil nas el shayala
neither am I into people who hold grudges

kol el fi albo haga
Whoever has something bothering them,

awel b awel y2ool
should let it out here and now

w ba7eb el ykhaleha 3ala Allah
And I love anyone who lets God deal with it

el ma y7sbhash
and who does not hang on every single thing

da el 3omr 2osayer leh ntghayr
Life is short so why make things difficult

leh ma n3esh hash
why not live it?

ba2a kam shalo ham w 7ar2et dam
How many people made a fuss and let their blood boil,

ya 3ainy ra7o balash
poor thing.. they ended up looking like fools

Ame(e)n to that!

Ramadan Series: 3ayza Atgawez

2010-08-18T18:23:00.043+03:00

A little over a year ago I started following an amazing blog of a 30-ish year old Egyptian woman here on blogger, I didn't realize that it would soon become a best seller. Now 3 years after its inception the blog-turned-book "3ayza Atgawez" is currently airing on various Arabic stations as a series during the month of Ramadan. At first I wasn't too excited about the series but Hend Sabri quickly captivated me with her role, and many will agree (me included) that "3ayza Atgawez" is by far the best series to come out this year. I can't wait to watch the remaining 22 episodes.

PS...I can't read Italian but I love the cover!

Delicious Dessert Recipe For Ramadan!!

2010-08-17T19:09:00.019+03:00

Thank you very much to Leb for sharing this recipe on AAF.

I love Nammura (Bessboosa in Egypt, right?) They make these in smaller size at Lebanese weddings, along with dozens of other sweets, and the guests get to fill their plates and take them home. This recipe is particularly good. And easy too.

Here's a picture of one that I made:

Ingredients:
3 cups of Semolina
3 cups of plain yogurt
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tablespoon of orange blossom water
1/2 cup of shelled, whole almonds
For spreading on the bottom and sides of the baking pan:
1 heaping tablespoon of Tahine paste

Ater (simple syrup)
1 cup of water1 1/2 cups of sugar
1 tsp. of Rose water
the juice of half a lemon

Preparation:

Mix together all the ingredients, blending them well. Spread the batter in a rectangular baking pan 9X13 inches, that has been previously greased with the Tahine paste. Score the top of the batter with a knife in the shape of diamonds, and in the center of each diamond shape place one almond. Bake for about 45 minutes or until golden in a 350F degree oven. The simple syrup is poured over the Nammura upon removing them from the oven.

Preparation of the simple syrup (Ater)

Mix the water and the sugar into a saucepan. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat a bit. Add the lemon juice and the rose water. Let it continue cooking without stirring until it begins to thicken. This will take about 20 minutes or so. Don't allow it to caramelize nor to become too thick. It should be the consistency of pancake syrup.

This syrup is poured all over the baked Nammura when you remove it from the oven. Poke small holes all over the surface of the baked Nammura with a fork so the syrup will penetrate to the bottom. It's VERY (very!) important for the syrup to be completely cooled first before pouring it. If you add hot syrup to the Nammura, it wil crumble and fall apart.

The nammura can be hot when the ater is added, but the ater must be cool. Allow the nammura to cool completely before cutting the individual diamond shaped pieces.

Egyptian women and hijab...great story from PBS Worldfocus

2010-08-17T17:34:00.026+03:00

Originally posted by an AAF member:

"Just watched this very balanced story on why more and more Egyptian women are wearing hijab. I am really, really touched by the last woman (the website training manager). I wish more non-Muslim people would just LISTEN to these women and respect their voice..."

PBS Worldfocus Story

Click Here to view the whole discussion. You must log in first.

Ya Tair Ya Tayer - by Nehal Nabil

2009-10-22T08:20:00.005+03:00

From the film soundtrack 'Sayad el Yamam', this simple yet enchanting song by up-and-coming singer Nehal Nabil has Upper Egyptian rhythms and vocals to make your heart melt.

O, flying bird! approaching the water,
I'm a bird and you're flying towards me

My lips are seeds of plums
Let me taste them first and you can go next
Feed me once and I'll tell you again
And you'll never get enough of my sea of tenderness

Me and you on the surface of water
I'll spread my hair tenderly
While I sing and you repeat after me
And an awake moon shall repeat after us

Tonight is the night of plums

The Belly of the Beast: Belly Dancing as a new form of Orientalism

2009-10-22T06:03:00.046+03:00

This post is dedicated to all the people who think that Muslim and Middle Eastern women are not strong enough to find someone within our own communities to speak for us. That we need a self-appointed non-Muslim non-Middle Eastern "expert", someone from the West, to speak on our behalf.

I am getting tired of the old colonial rescue narrative that we need to be "saved" and "liberated" (again?) by the khawaga from our own ignorance. What WE Middle Eastern and Muslim women need is to come together and speak out with an overwhelming voice and say "No! We have not appointed you our ambassador. You do not represent us or speak in our name!"

Okay well, that was my rant for the day. Now, back to the post...

Hats off to Fatemeh Fakhraie, founder of Muslimah Media Watch and author of this great article. She sums up my thoughts exactly!

"It’s time to set the record straight, everyone. So here it is: belly dancing is not a significant facet of Middle Eastern culture. It’s a dance, not a lifestyle (not according to most Middle Eastern people, anyway).

I’ve had one too many people ask me if I belly dance when they hear about my religion or ethnicity. Belly dancing is something that is present in some form of another in most Middle Eastern cultures, but is not really a part of our identity. And I assure you, nowhere in the Holy Qur’an does it say, “Thou shalt belly dance.” But because of Hollywood’s old Orientalist glamour, images of belly dancing have become almost synonymous with the Middle East.

I can’t help but get irritated when someone assumes that s/he and I automatically have something in common because s/he belly dances. The truth of a real-live Middle Eastern woman belly dancing seems to validate all those silly images that come into one’s head about spangly costumes and the Dance of the Seven Veils. Belly dancing has a host of sexualized and savage images attached to it, and if Middle Eastern/Muslim women confess to belly dancing (for exercise, as a career, for fun, or whatever), those images get attached to us, and we no longer have individual thoughts or lifestyles. We don’t take care of our parents or our children, we don’t have jobs or have opinions about health care reform, we just belly dance. Like it’s all we do, all day. This is why it’s insulting when someone thinks s/he knows what it’s like to be a Middle Eastern/Muslim woman because s/he’s taken a belly dancing class or read a book about it. The image of a Middle Eastern woman belly dancing seems to take away from our identity: it erases who we really are, our different nationalities and ethnicities, our emotions, our day-to-day existence.

Now, let me assure you: my problem isn’t with the dance itself. Belly dancing is a great way to connect with one’s sensuality, to exercise, and to appreciate the body that God gave you. Nor is my problem with non-Middle Eastern women (or men) belly dancing (or with Middle Eastern people dancing).

What bothers me is the adoption of a caricatured Middle Eastern identity through coin-bedazzled bras and Middle Eastern stage names like “Amina” or “Vashti.” If you’re a non-Middle Eastern performer, why give yourself a Middle Eastern stage name? What’s wrong with a name that reflects your own ethnicity or interests? Is it not “ethnic” or “exotic” enough? Besides, how would you feel if someone else used the name your parents gave you (that perhaps also belonged to your grandmother or aunt) as a stage name for an act that most people in your culture consider shameful if done publicly? (Cultural lesson: in most parts of the Middle East, belly dancing is often a cover for illicit activities.)

Similarly, dance troupe names like “Desert Queens” or “Daughters of Scheherazade” serve the same exoticizing purpose when these troupes are full of non-Middle Eastern women set in a non-Middle Eastern setting (like Austin, Texas, for example, which hosted a Belly Dancing Convention last July).

I take offense at the presentation of Middle Eastern “culture” through things like transparent veils, coin necklaces, and henna tattoos because reducing the Middle Eastern experience to some jingly coins and a scimitar takes the humanity right out of us. Elements of Middle Eastern/Muslim stereotypes are irreparably attached to the use of swords, snakes, and veils. These props serve to reinforce the idea of Muslim/Middle Eastern women as dangerous, sexually arousing, sexually submissive, and just plain different from women in the West.

Performers (Middle Eastern or non-Middle Eastern) highlight these images when they (Middle Eastern or non-Middle Eastern) balance swords on their heads and give themselves henna tattoos. The inclusion of these props is often used to authenticate a Middle Eastern experience, making the performance or venue more like the “Mysterious Orient,” in which Middle Eastern women are acquiescing sexual props and Middle Eastern men are brutal and dangerous.

Why is this acceptable? These practices (other than henna for holidays and weddings) aren’t even Middle Eastern: Egyptian performers borrowed the ideas for these spangly suits from Hollywood in the early twentieth century. And no Middle Easterner just walks around all day with a sword perched atop her head. Belly dancing doesn’t even traditionally show off the stomach: a scarf is tied around one’s hips (over regular, concealing clothing) to emphasize the movements. So how did we get to sparkly bras and coin jewelry?!

Because sex sells! Early colonial performers knew what their (often Western or male) audiences wanted to see: sexuality. A pretty girl dancing sensually for the male gaze. Using veils in performances reiterates this: sashaying a veil under one’s heavily-painted eyes is done to entice and enchant, and is associated with the traditional face veils that upper-class (and thus inaccessible) Turkish, Egyptian, and Iranian women used to wear before (or during) colonization.

The problem is that belly dancing is permeated with all of these negative Orientalist dancing harem girl images. Can one belly dance without the coins, the henna, and/or swords? I think so. A long time ago, it was all about the scarf tied around the hips. It’s not flashy, but it’s sincere."

Ramadan TV Review 2009

2009-09-20T06:07:00.011+03:00

Since the month is now over, here is a brief review I wrote on some of the programs that were broadcast on television during Ramadan.

Let me start off with Egyptian programs first although I did not follow any of them.

Ana Albi Daleely, a bio series depicting the life of late Egyptian singer Laila Mourad.
I enjoyed watching this serial very much. I thought the girl that played young Laila did a wonderful job, but despite the script being well written it started getting boring as Laila grew up. This trend of importing non-Egyptian actresses might have worked last year with Solaf Fwakhergy but I'm sorry to say it was a HUGE miss this time around. I don't know what the producers were thinking because the actress they cast as Laila looks and sounds absolutely nothing like the real Laila mourad. I also heard that she's a 10th rate actress in her own country Syria.
I think that ex-circus girl Hind Akef who played the role of Laila's mother could have been a better choice, her acting skills are very good and she does resemble the real Laila somehow.

For the 5th year in a row Madam Yusra appears as the iron woman who has the solutions to all of society's problems, yet I have not watched Yusra since two years and I barely made it through one entire epidsode of her's this year. Since this was supposed to be a realist social drama, I don't understand why the characters were dressed in trendy outfits all of the time, carrying designer bags with their hair perfectly styled and sprayed into place and it doesn't matter if the scene was indoors, outdoors, day or night. It was hard not to notice the empty streets and super clean pavements as well, there was not one trace of garbage in sight which made me really curious to know which part of Cairo were the events supposed to be taking place and which Egyptians are they talking about. It was like a whole different country.

Mosalsalt Haleema, the kuwaiti bimbo also known as Haleema Boland was back this year with another disturbingly annoying venture, however it seems the producers wised up this year and did not want to see their money go down the drain, so they decided to put her back in her place which is a shallow game show that matched her intellectual capacity, or lack thereof.
I am not sure whose Egyptian dialect is worse, Haleema's or Jad Choeri's.

Harb el gawasees, or "spies wars" has been the most amusing program to watch this season. I know this incredibly unrealistic serial has had its fair share of criticism so I will not be too harsh, but I was watching this show with my family and the whole time we were trying to figure out which era is it, the 60's or the 70's?! Something went terribly wrong with the wardrobe.
This serial was not different that Disney's Clone Wars in my opinion, but with human characters.

Rola Gabriel. I have not seen this presenter before but I heard quite a bit about her. I saw one episode where she interviewed Nadine Labaki and I noticed that aside from being arrogant and combative, her conversational skills are below par compared to other TV show hosts. The woman can barely speak in complete sentences, as a matter of fact her guest Nadine Labaki sounded far more intelligent and articulate.
I know this is Rola's first time and I hope Tarek Nour will take note so that it will be her last presenting these types of shows. She should host the fashion segment on "Good Morning Lebanon" if there is one.
The pseudo Egyptian accent syndrome seems to be a spread throughout the Arabic channels this season.

El Masraweya- The biggest hit of 2008 was back this year for a second season. I just wish they had let us know beforehand that they were going to change the entire cast. I liked the previous season better.

The only show(s) I watched from the beginning to the end were Laila Elwi's serial "Hala wel mestakhaby" which had a very important message to deliver about child trafficking. Overall, I liked it very much because nothing was overdone and the acting wasn't contrived or over the top, all in all I give it 4 stars.
I also watched all of the episodes from the Syrian series called "Sabaya", which means "young women" in Levantine dialect.

That's it for Ramadan... until next year!

Om Kalthoum - Ankoro Al Dofof (Al Reda w-Al Nour)

2009-08-29T10:19:00.029+03:00

An enchanting song by Om Kalthoum, Ankoro Al Dofof (Al Reda w-Al Nour), has been an Egyptian television favourite for the month of Ramadan during the past four decades. This song was written exclusively for a historical film titled Rabi'a Al Adaweya, named after an 8th century female Muslim saint and poet. Click here for detailed biography .

In the years following Om Kalthoum's death, a remake video version was filmed outside Rabi'a Al Adaweya mosque with a large group of girls singing the chorus and Om Kalthoum's vocals playing in the background.

I know that many people prefer the TV version, but the clip from the film is what is available right now on youtube.

أوقدوا الشموس ... انقروا الدفوف
موكب العروس ... فى السما يطوف
والمنى قطوف

الرضا والنور والصبايا الحور
والهوى يدور
آن للغريب أن يرى حماه
يومه القريب شاطىء الحياه
والمنى قطوف
فى السما تطوف
انقروا الدفوف

***

يا حبيب الروح
تائه مجروح
كله جروح
لائذ بالباب
شوقه دعاه
والرضا رحاب
يشمل العفاه
والمنى قطوف
في السما تطوف
انقروا الدفوف

***

طاف بالسلام طائف السلام
يوقظ النيام
عهده الوثيق واحة النجاه
أول الطريق هو منتهاه
والمنى قطوف
فى السما تطوف
انقروا الدفوف

Let the suns glow, strike the percussions
The bride's convoy is wandering in the sky
Destiny is reaping

Gratification and light, and devine young women
surrounded by fresh air circulating
It's about time the stranger sees the guardian
for the near day has come, the shore of life

Destiny is reaping, wandering in the sky
Strike the percussions.... strike the percussions

Dear love of the soul
Lost and hurt are you, filled with wounds
Delighted with the spiritual gate whose longing has invited you
Gratification is a courtyard embracing the evanescence

Buoyant with peacefulness is the wanderer of peace,
awakening the sleep
The firm oath, an oasis of survival
The beginning of the path is also its conclusion
And destiny is reaping, wandering in the sky

Strike the percussions.... strike the percussions

Arabic lyrics by aloush21

Raseef Nemra Khamsa (Block no. 5)

2009-08-21T07:28:00.020+03:00

Amr Diab's take on daily life in Egypt.

Block no.5 and the streets are congested
Silent are our conversations, we don't have much to say

Nuts, uncle?
Cigarettes, sir?

The words went astray, the mouth is muzzled

The trolley bus horn is blasting my ears
and Shehta the barber is trimming my ears

Conducter of the Paris, come over here
and tell me how much do I owe you
I want to know the other guy's balance
for both of us

Abdullah Roshdy the self proclaimed attorney
is filing a legal case at Bab El Wazir
against uncle Fekry, the belila street vendor
for hawking in a chant-like voice

El Amanah grocery and Noshy El Soroogy
have started a partnership in a boutique business
and they asked Abdou the poultry seller to join them
he stuck up his nose at them saying, "I don't need partners"

A terrible incident has occured at souq El Imam
because uncle Lama'i the pigeon seller
could not get in terms with Sabe effendy
on a peace negotiation

aged children in the cradle of childhood,
old movie posters and a Coca Cola ad

Be street smart and you'll live through it
and for every sold chicken, you get your commission

A tram with a needle at Rod El Farag
and lives passing by until relief comes
Neither does the sea seem to have a harbour
Nor is anyone sure where relief comes from
Where does relief come from?

Block no.5 and the streets are congested
Silent are our conversations, we don't have much to say

3areeb - Malek Reja

2009-08-20T11:08:00.033+03:00

Areeb is an Emirati singer of Syrian bedouin origin who appeared on the UAE music scene three years ago. The style of music she performs derives from Nabati, a centuries old traditional form of poetry written in everyday Emirati dialect.

Nabati originated in its oral form as a way to document the lives of everyday people. Although it was passed down from generation to generation, it was never written down. The main reason is due to the fact that until 40 years ago there were no schools in the UAE, therefore the majority of people were illiterate. Ironically, you may notice in the clip how the singer keeps looking down and reading from a paper because she cannot memorize the words. Learning how to read and write has caused people to rely on storytelling less and less over the decades.

Nabati poetry is now big among Emirati youth. In 2007, it was the main theme of a highly successful TV talent search show, which inspired the UAE Ministry of Culture to establish its first Nabati poetry academy.

مالك رجا يا قلب فيهم و لا لي
حيله على نسيانهم ولو تناسيت
وراحو وانا عايش وحيدن الحالي
تايه ولا لحظة بعدهم تهنيت

هذا جزا من كان يسهر ليالي
يا ما عليهم في دجا الليل ونيت
لجل الوفا اشقيت فكري و بالي
كلن نسا الماضي وانا اقول يا ليت

راح الزمان اللي نعيمه صفا لي
لجل السراب اللي من اجله تعنيت
صار الشقا وال هم فوق احتمالي
عقب التصافي بالتجافي تعنيت

وما بقى الى ذكرهم في خيالي
ذكرى تجيني كل مااصبحت و امسيت
يا قلب لا تبكي على * حالي
وانسى ترى مالك رجى وان ترجيت

*Indicates missing word

Two years later...

2009-08-20T08:35:00.045+03:00

I tried a search today on Youtube for a song I haven't heard in a long time: Watan El Akbar by El Magmouaa. I subtitled this clip around 2 years ago but it did not show up in the search results because I forgot to add tags, but I can see that other users have now re-uploaded it. This was actually my first translation attempt ever :)

~Banoota

Angham - Shantat Safar

2009-08-19T12:51:00.009+03:00

Shantat safar or "travel suitcase" is a song by Egyptian singer Angham (born January 19, 1970) who first appeared on the music scene in the late 80's under the guidance of her father, musician Mohamed Ali Suleiman. She has been Egypt's most successful vocal female artist for the past 20 years.

Shantat Safar was a huge hit when it first came out in the mid 90's, it was so popular that the Egyptian television and radio stations kept airing it literally 10 times a day. It still doesn't beat Nour El 3ain though ;) Those days were torture, I'm telling you.

In this song, Angham tells the story of a husband who is about to leave his house to travel for work abroad, she sings to him as he stands at the doorstep with his suitcase.

Are you still planning on leaving?
Do you think there's no alternative?

What am I supposed to do
with loneliness when you're gone?
Where do I get patience for a whole year?

From a defeated question begging for an answer
Don't you mean my eyes, dear resentment
Forget about my tears right now and tell me:

What did you get from your travel suitcase?
You took much from my patience and my journey
Isn't my pulse lost with you?

Did you take my photo?
Please check, you might have left behind my life and youth
or my self worth and sense of life
Confusion and torture are mine alone,
they are my friends while you're gone

Darling, I've been saying it
as much as the years of my life

As you know, you could hear it
The cry of the night and the streets
Every bit of sand says to you,
it's unholy
Unholy to deprive me from your footprints,
How should I rest?

The street is quite full of resentment
And the breeze has felt your distance

Everything refuses your going far away
It won't exist after you leave, it's hard to believe

If you insist on leaving me,
Take away the longing, and cancel your trip
before you leave with my life
before we are separated forever

But even if we are separated,
You'll be here

Nancy Agram - Mashy Haddy

2009-08-19T02:22:00.003+03:00

Nancy Agram's newest single in Lebanese dialect, Mashy Haddy.

Year: 2009
Lyrics: Fares Iskander
Music: Salim Salameh

Chorus #1
Walking next to me, right infront of my eyes
Melting all the people around me
A look here, and a wink there
No beauty ever escapes him

He forgets that I'm jealous, I'll go crazy
Especially if the girls smiled to him
My darling, you're so sweet your heart falls off

Chorus #2
The most handsome man would wish to accompany me
Unlike you, you keep losing me with your actions and confusing me
If you see a beautiful girl walk past you
You chase her and leave me on the spot

Repeat Chorus #1

But if on our way I ran into a male accquaintance
Your interrogations will start immedietly
You'll start condemning me and questioning me:
"Who, where, how and why?"
He's my friend from a long time
Eat your heart out, you give me a hard time anyway

Repeat Chorus #2

Repeat Chorus #1

Badia (Intro)

2009-08-18T16:54:00.008+03:00

Badi'aa (Intro)** does not belong to a single artist, instead it is sung by a chorus of women. The track is available on Samraa al Nil belly dance CD.

Meya Far7 wi meya raqs
Meya raqs wi meya mesaa*

Badia gaya bikol hob... bi kol hob termi el mesaa
3ali a3deen sahraneen... wi bi gamalha mo3gabeen

3ali a3deen sahraneen... wi bi gamalha mo3gabeen

Kolenna benheb Badia
Bas heya bet heb meen... bet heb meen... bet heb meen?

Badia

*Meya mesaa literally means "100 evenings", an Egyptian term used by the average person in common street areas.

**Badia (Intro) is clearly written as an introduction for a dancer, who is going to provide the audience with a beautiful evening, and in return, the audience will be enchanted by her.

Finally, the song ends with a question, "we all love Badia, but we wonder: who does she love?"

Laila Mourad - Ya Msafer Wi Nasi Hawak

2009-08-18T16:29:00.001+03:00

يا مسافر وناسي هواك.... ريداك والنبي رايداك
رايداك والنبي... والنبي رايداك

احلفلك بدمع العين... ازا لكش علي يمين
ان فاتت علي سنين.. ح افتكرك ولا انساك
ريداك والنبي رايداك.... رايداك والنبي.... والنبي رايداك

تسألني صحيح حبيت.... لا جاوبتك ولا خبيت
ياريت الكلام ياريت... وفائي وباح بهواك
ريداك والنبي رايداك... رايداك والنبي... والنبي رايداك

احكيلو ياموج مطروح.... ع القلب اللي بات مجروح
من فرقة حبيب الروح.... روح قولو دا قلبي معاك
ريداك والنبي رايداك... رايداك والنبي... والنبي رايداك

ya msafer wi nasi hawak... raydak wi nabi raydak
raydak wi nabi wi nabi raydak

ahleflak bi dam3 el 3ein, eza laksh 3alaya yameen
en faat 3alaya sneen... 7a aftekrak wala ansak
raydak wi nabi raydak.... raydak wi nabi.. wi nabi raydak

tis'alni saheh habeit.. la gawbak wala khabeit
ya reit el kalam ya reit... wafani wa ba7 bi hawak
raydak wi nabi raydak.... raydak wi nabi.. wi nabi raydak

a7keelo ya mog matrooh... 3al alb elli bat magrooh
min forqet habeeb el rooh... rooh olo da albi m3ak
raydak wi nabi raydak.... raydak wi nabi.. wi nabi raydak

Karem Mahmoud - Ya Helw Nadeeli

2009-08-18T16:25:00.003+03:00

Lebanese dancer Suha Deeb's performance inspired me to generate a transliteration for this beautiful song by Karem Mahmoud, called Ya Helw Nadeeli.

(Transliteration)
ya helw nadeeli
wi shoof mwaweely
ya helw nadeeli

3andi 7areer hendi
wi el toob 3ala adak
lonoh gameel wardi
zahi bilon khadek
wi el shal ana mkhaleeh
leilet el fara7 ahdeeh
w ash3el anadeeli
ya helw nadeeli

ya helw nadeeli
wi shoof mwaweely
ya helw nadeeli

wi di tar7a bi terter
3ala hareer qalab
foq el gibeen tis7er
wi tganen el khotaab
mansooga ya tarha
bil ezz wil farha

ya helw nadeeli
wi shoof mwaweely
ya helw nadeeli

ya rakba takht karawan
feeh el milaa7 safeen
3andi hareer alwan
te7taar fi hosnoh el 3ein
yerkhaslak el ghali
ya om el qawaam ghali
wi radi bi qaleeli
ya helw nadeeli

يا حلو ناديلي... و شوف مناديلي
ياحلو ناديلي

عندي حرير هندي
والتوب على قدك
لونه جميل وردي
زاهي بلون خدك
والشال ده نا مخليه
ليلة الفرح اهديه
واشغل قناديلي
يا حلوناديلي
وياليل مواويلي

ودي طرحة بالترتر
علي حرير قلاب
فوق الجبين تسحر
و تجنن الخطاب
نسوجة يا طرحة
بالعز و الفرحة
وليل مواويلي

يا راكبة تخت كروان
بين الملاح صفين
عندي الحرير الوان
تحتار في حسنه العين
يرخصلك الغالي
يا ام القوام غالي
وراضي بقليلي
يا حلو ناديلي

Amr Diab - Wayah

2009-08-18T16:19:00.000+03:00

Wayah is the newest single from Amr Diab's album, released summer 2009.

She is the one I have been longing for
If a chance brings me closer to herIt's a chance of a lifetime, why should I let it go?
That's impossible

My eyes infront of her's
It's more than I have dreamt of
The day I've been waiting for has arrived
So I could say:

Wayaah (with her)life will get better when I'm with her
that's what I have been wishing for
and my eyes have been watching a feeling..
that's she's the most beautiful, the most dearest of all
she let my heart say:that's it, calm down I've found her

yes, I'll say it and I shall repeat
she's now near me and no longer far away
my heart's joy is like the day of eid
a eid I have been waiting for
come on, the time has come
I will not wait another day
I have to tell her that since a long time
I have layed my eyes on her

Wayaah (with her)
life will get better when I'm with her
that's what I have been wishing for
and my eyes have been watching a feeling..
that's she's the most beautiful, the most dearest of all
she let my heart say: that's it, calm down
I've found her

دا اللي كان نفسي فيه....لو تجي صدفة تجمعني بيه

فرصة عمري اضيعها ليه..... مش معقولعيني قدام عينيه

دا اكتر من اللي بحلم بيهجا اليوم اللي انا مستنيه.....عشان اقول
وياااااه.... الحياه تحلى وانا معاههو دا اللي بتمناه.... واللي عيني شايفاه

احساس... انه احلى و اغلى الناسخلى قلبي يقوللي خلاص... اهدء بقى لقيناه
ايوه هقول واعيد ...ماهو بقى جمبى و مش بعيدفرحة قلبي كانه عيد

مستنيهيلا اهو جه الاوان....مش هستنى اليوم كمانلازم اقول ه انا من زمان..... عيني عليه

وياااااه.... الحياه تحلى و انا معاههو دا اللي بتمناه.... واللي عيني شايفاه

احساس... انه احلى و اغلى الناسخلى قلبي يقوللي خلاص... اهدء بقى لقيناه

da elli - kan - nefsi - feeh
law tegi - sodfa - tegma3ni beeh
forset 3omri - adaya3ha leih
mosh ma3'oool

3eeni odam 3eneeh - da aktar men eli ba7lam beeh
gah el yom - eli ana - mestaneeh
3ashan a'oool

wayaah... el 7ayah - ha te7la - wana m3aah
howa dah - elli ana- batmanah
wi - elli - 3eeni - shayfah
ehsas... eno - a7la - wi aghla - el naskhala albi - y'oli khalas
ehda ba'a - la'inahaywah - ha'ool - wa3eed
mahoo - ba'aa gambi - wi - mosh ba3eed
farhet albi - ka'anoo - eid... mistaneeh
yallah - aho gah - el awaan
mosh - hastana - el youm kamaan
lazem a'ooloh - ana men - zaman3eini - 3aleeh

wayaah... el 7ayah - ha te7la - wana m3aah
howa - dah - elli ana - batmanah
wi - elli - 3eeni - shayfah
ehsas... eno - a7la - wi aghla - el naskhala albi - y'oli khalas
ehda ba'a - la'inah

Lyrics and translation by: Banoota