Half a century after her death, Umm Kulthum remains an unparalleled icon in the Arab world, her voice still echoing through the streets of Cairo, the cafes of Baghdad, and homes from Morocco to Oman.
In Egypt’s historic Khan al-Khalili district, a café bearing her name continues to attract devoted fans. “As long as people listen to music, there will be Umm Kulthum,” said Abu Ahmed, the café’s manager, as he adjusted the volume on an antique recorder playing one of her legendary songs. Around him, sepia-toned photographs of the singer adorned the walls, and patrons fell silent as her powerful voice filled the room.
Outside, vendors sell figurines of Umm Kulthum and her orchestra, their best-selling pieces featuring the singer in her signature scarf and sunglasses. “She still lives in every song and every note,” said a vendor, reflecting on her enduring influence.
More than 1,000 kilometers away, a similar tribute plays out daily in Baghdad. Since 1970, the Iraqi capital’s own Umm Kulthum Café has served as a haven for admirers. For Youssef Hamad, 77, the café has been a daily ritual for decades. Another patron, 83-year-old Khazaal Abu Ali, struggled to express his devotion. “A day without her voice is a day that is lost,” he said, recalling her famous lyric: If a day passes without seeing you, it can’t count toward my lifetime.
Born in 1898 in a small Nile Delta village, Umm Kulthum’s rise from modest beginnings to cultural icon was extraordinary. Disguised as a boy by her father to circumvent societal norms, she began singing religious songs before transitioning to grand orchestral performances in Cairo in the 1930s. Her unique ability to blend classical Arabic poetry with rich, improvisational melodies captivated audiences across the region.
Her influence extended far beyond music. In 1940, she became the first woman to head Egypt’s Musicians’ Syndicate, asserting herself in a male-dominated industry. During the 1967 war, she performed in Paris and donated the proceeds to the Egyptian army. Her music became the soundtrack of a changing Egypt, embodying nationalism and unity following the fall of the monarchy in 1952.
Western musicians also took note. Bob Dylan once called her “one of my favorite singers of all time,” and artists like Shakira and Beyoncé have sampled her work.
Now, 50 years after her passing, her legacy is set to reach a new generation. A biopic starring Egyptian actress Mona Zaki is in the works, highlighting her role not just as a musician, but as a trailblazer who defied societal expectations.
In Cairo, her bronze statue gazes over the Nile, a timeless symbol of artistic and cultural power. Across the river, a museum showcases her embroidered gowns, notebooks, and diamond-encrusted sunglasses—testaments to her meticulous artistry.
Fifteen-year-old Rodina Mohamed, visiting the museum, summed up Umm Kulthum’s lasting impact: “She was intentional about every detail—lyrics, melodies, performance. That is why she still matters.”
