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Mohamed El-Helou performed a career-spanning concert at the 34th Arab Music Festival and Conference, hosted by the Egyptian Opera House under the direction of Rida El-Wakeel and maestro Mohamed El-Mogy. The festival, held at the Grand Theatre and the Arab Music Institute theatre, honored the legacy of Hani Shaker with performances from prominent vocalists and musicians.
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Mohamed El-Helou — The singer delivered a retrospective performance conducted by maestro Ahmed Amer, revisiting signature works including "Ya Boy" and other pieces rooted in collective cultural memory. El-Helou's concert formed part of the festival's 34th edition programme, celebrating enduring Arabic vocal traditions.Aruaa Joudah on marriage and faith — The actress revealed in a podcast that her husband converted to Islam before their marriage, a condition she had set, and disappeared for a week after learning of this requirement before returning and proceeding with their union. Joudah also disclosed for the first time her battle with benign uterine tumours the size of a late-stage pregnancy, which required surgical removal before her wedding.Sabrine on faith after removing hijab — The actress stated in a television interview that her religious commitment increased after removing her hijab, emphasising that her faith is rooted in sincerity rather than external appearance. She said she maintains closer adherence to daily prayers, particularly dawn prayer, and feels her relationship with God is deeper and more authentic.Amani El-Souissi releases "Ajayeb El-Donya" — The Tunisian artist unveiled a new song in the Tunisian dialect featuring rapid rhythm and vibrant instrumentation, treating themes of love and its emotional and life-altering effects through rhythmic vocal styling.Amr Diab's Chopard necklace — The singer appeared at a concert in Al-Gouna wearing a Chopard Happy Hearts rose gold soutoir-style necklace valued at approximately 14,600 US dollars, adorned with green gemstones.Hisham Alwan, film critic and producer, died at 54 after battling cancer — Alwan, who had disclosed a malignant pancreatic tumour in August 2025, left behind a career spanning film criticism, research and independent cinema production. He was respected in Egyptian film circles for bridging critical analysis with active participation in the independent cinema movement.Coming Up:
Mohamed Fayez awaits the premiere of the series "Al-Saraya Al-Safra," describing the work as distinctive and full of surprises. The Islamic Art Museum in Cairo will host a children's art workshop titled "Seeds of Heritage" on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., targeting ages 8 to 15.