Legendary Arab Singer Oum Kalthoum’s Legacy Lives On in Morocco, 47 Years Later

Time or technological advances have not managed to alter the beauty of the artistic legacy left by Oum Kalthoum, the diva of Arab song, nicknamed the Star of the East, reports the Egyptian daily Al Ahram. It is in fact to preserve this heritage and engrave it in the memory of Moroccans that the Moroccan press agency (MAP) has launched the radio station "Oum Kalthoum, Kawkab Al Sharq" (Star of the East) broadcasting her songs 24 hours a day.

The daily Al Ahram recalls that Oum Kalthoum attracted crowds in 1968, during her visit to Morocco. She gave a series of concerts there. It is said that the artist was extremely moved by the warm welcome reserved for her by King Hassan II and the Moroccan people. For the MAP, "Oum Kalthoum has presented magnificent works that deserve a radio station dedicated to celebrating her immortal art".

The diva addressed love in all its forms, nationalism, nature and human feelings in all their subtleties in her songs. She was a source of inspiration for many Arab composers such as Rayad Assanbati, Mohamed Abdelouhab Baligh Hamdi, Zakaria Ahmad, Mohamed Al Qasabji, Mohamed Almouji and others.