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Umm Kulthum
Born Fatima Ibrahim as-Sayyid al-Beltagi, in Senbellawein, El Dakahlia, Egypt on
December 31, 1898, singer and actress Uum Kulthum – nicknamed ‘the Eastern Star’
– is now considered the greatest voice of the 20th century in the Arab world.
Her musical journey began as a child when she showed a talent for singing. She
chanted verses from the Koran and performed in religious festivals, although she
had to dress like a boy in order to join theater companies. She was discovered
by singer Cheikh Abou al-ila Mohamed and oudist Zakaria Ahmed, which
precipitated her move to Cairo in 1923...
