Anniversary of Abdul Halim Hafez
Egypt, People, 3/31/2001

On March 30th 1977, a distinguished page in the history of Arabic songs and music was closed at the death of Abdul Halim Hafez. The voice of a whole generation, characterised by patriotic passion and represented by this great singer, was silenced. Since the inception of the July 23, 1952 Revolution, the voice of Abdul Halim Hafez and that of his tutors Mohamed Abdul Wahab and Om Kalthoum had expressed the romantic feelings and sentiments and the aspirations and dreams of the entire Arab nation.

The voice of Abdul Halim Hafez was expressive of one of the most important periods of Arab history during which national and sincere hopes and dreams of a promising future followed the elimination of colonialism.

Abdul Halim Hafez performed his role not merely as a singer but rather as a participant in formulating political events of the Arab nation. During this period singing was the most outstanding and influential form of art and more widespread than the cinema, the stage, painting and literature. Millions of Arabs listened and were deeply influenced by the songs of Abdul Halim Hafez and his peers. His songs convinced people and rallied support for the Revolution and its goals.

Abdul Halim Ali Ismail Shabana, which was his true name, was born in 1929 in a village 80 kilometres north of Cairo. On the day of his birth his mother died and so did his father after a short period. His musical talent appeared while he was in primary school. His first music teacher was his elder brother Ismail Shabana, the singer.

In 1941 he joined the Arabic Music Institute in Cairo and became famous for singing the songs of Mohamed Abdul Wahab. He then joined the Egyptian radio music orchestra.

In 1952, he started to gain fame when he sang in public concerts songs composed by the well-known musician Mohamed El Mogy. But actually he began to gain his greatest popularity in 1954 when he sang on the Egyptian Revolution anniversary expressing the aspirations and dreams of the new generation.

Abdul Halim Hafez's national songs brought about a revolution in Arabic music. He aroused enthusiastic, patriotic feelings, not through the conventional recitations of poems and throbbing rhythm of brass musical instruments but by his gentle love songs for the homeland.

For almost 26 years his national songs were the most expressive of political events in Egypt, to the extent that he was described by some as "Al Jabarti" (the historian) who translated national dreams and visions into songs. The passionate poems by poets such as Salah Jaheen, Ahmed Shafeeq Kamel and Abdul Rahman Al Abnoudi, who wrote in simple but highly expressive words, considerably helped in the song revolution.

Referring to Abdul Halim Hafez's love songs we can say that they were another revolution in Arabic music. He was encouraged by the great musician and pioneer of innovation Mohamed Abdul Wahab as well as Baleegh Hamdi, the young composer who accompanied him in the journey of innovation. His love songs were simple, sincere and well-performed.

Late President Gamal Abdul Nasser was a patron of Abdul Halim Hafez, who also won the friendship of some Arab leaders such as the late Tunisian President Al Habib Bourquibah and King Hassan II of Morocco.

He sang in most of the Arab countries, and presented hundreds of love songs, 56 national songs, and played a leading role in 16 movies. His songs are still very popular and best sellers in the Arab nation.

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