Moroccan Singer Samira Saïd Mourns Loss of Iconic Artist Naïma Samih

"Today, I have lost a childhood friend, a large part of my memories, and a face that has always radiated life and spontaneity. Naïma was not only an exceptional voice, she was also a warm and generous person, filling the world with her laughter and her benevolent soul," said Samira Saïd, honoring the memory of Naïma Samih, who passed away on Friday.

And she added: "Since our childhood, I was the turbulent child and she, the natural one, acting with rare spontaneity. She was very close to me and my family and was part of my life. Her love will be engraved in my heart. You are gone, but your presence will never disappear. May God have mercy on you, Naïma."

Naïma Samih was born in Casablanca in 1954. With her distinctive voice, the performer of "Jrit ou Jarit" and "Ala Gafla" is considered one of the most prominent Moroccan artists of the second half of the 20th century. Naïma Samih started her career in the 1970s. Her songs like "Rihlat Al-Nasr", recorded with the musician Abdelwahab Doukkali, were phenomenally successful in Morocco and the Arab countries.

During her rich musical career, Naïma Samih collaborated with renowned composers and lyricists, including Abdellah Issami, Ali Haddani, Abdelkader Rachdi, Mohamed Ben-Abdeslam and Abdelwahab Doukkali in Morocco, and the Kuwaiti Yusuf al-Mahanna.