JEDDAH: Legendary Arab music icon Fairouz set social media abuzz when she released a new song — an Arabic adaptation of a famous English song — at the weekend.
“Yemken” is based on the original work “Imagine” written and composed by John Lennon. The work is arranged by Steve Sidwell and lyrics adapted by Fairouz’s daughter Reema Rahbany. It is part of Fairouz’s upcoming new album “Bebalee,” also produced by Rahbany.
The Lebanese singer has announced the release of a new album on Sep. 22.
The album comprises 10 songs: “Bi Bali,” “Lameen,” “Yemken,” “Ma Tez3al Menni,” “Ana W Yak,” “Hikayat Ktir,” “Bgheir Dene,” “Beit Zghir,” and “Rah Nerjaa Netla2a.”
The new song reflects the reality of the world and the frustration of people because of divisions and wars; it imagines a unified world free of hatred, corruption and wars.
Excited fans of Fairouz took to social media to share their joy.
One fan wrote on Facebook: “God bless Fairouz. She is a unifying force.”
Another said: “OMG!!! What a great legend, God bless her and keep up the awesome work guys...”
It is the second single from the album after “Lameen,” which Fairouz dedicated to her late husband Assi Al-Rahbani.
Fairouz, who is also known as “Ambassador of the Arabs,” is one of the most widely admired and deeply respected singers in the Arab world.
Arab icon Fairouz’s new single inspired by John Lennon
Arab icon Fairouz’s new single inspired by John Lennon
Makkah museum displays world’s largest Qur’an
MAKKAH: The Holy Qur’an Museum at the Hira Cultural District in Makkah is showcasing a monumental handwritten copy of the Holy Qur’an, recognized as the largest Qur’an of its kind in the world.
The manuscript measures 312 cm by 220 cm and comprises 700 pages, earning the museum recognition from Guinness World Records for displaying the world’s largest Qur’an, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The manuscript is a magnified reproduction of a historic Qur’an dating back to the 16th century, the SPA stated.
The original copy measures 45 cm by 30 cm, with the chapters written primarily in Thuluth script, while Surah Al-Fatiha was penned in Naskh, reflecting the refined artistic choices and calligraphic diversity of the era.
The Qur’an is a unique example of Arabic calligraphy, gilding and bookbinding, showcasing Islamic art through intricate decorations, sun-shaped motifs on the opening folio, and elaborately designed frontispiece and title pages that reflect a high level of artistic mastery.
The manuscript was endowed as a waqf in 1883. Its original version is currently preserved at the King Abdulaziz Complex for Endowment Libraries, serving as a lasting testament to Muslims’ enduring reverence for the Qur’an and the richness of Islamic arts across the centuries.
