Google Doodle marks Egyptian virtuoso Farid Al-Atrash’s 110th birthday

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Updated 19 October 2020
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Google Doodle marks Egyptian virtuoso Farid Al-Atrash’s 110th birthday

  • His songs are considered as classics of modern Arab music
  • Al-Atrash released more than 220 original songs and acted in 31 musical films

DUBAI: Google has come out with a doodle to celebrate the 110th birthday of Arab performer Farid Al-Atrash, the so-called King of Oud.
Al-Atrash, considered one of the Arab music worlds’ greatest performers during his time, was a composer, singer, instrumentalist, actor and film producer, and who released more than 220 original songs and acted in 31 musical films. 
He earned his nickname after demonstrating an extraordinary prowess in playing the Middle Eastern string instrument, the oud, and his songs are seen as classics of modern Arab music.

Al-Atrash was born on this day in 1910 to a Syrian father and Lebanese mother in the city of Suwayda, Syria, an area is known to be predominantly of Druze religion. He emigrated to Egypt with his mother and siblings to escape the French occupation in Syria, as their family played a big role in the Syrian resistance movement. They later received the Egyptian citizenship.
His mother was a professional singer and musician, which inspired him to purse an education in music. By the time Al-Atrash was in his early 30s, he was already regularly performing on Egyptian radio.
The virtuoso rose to fame after starring in the 1941 film called “Intisar Al-Shabab,” translated to the Triumph of Youth, with his sister Asmahan.


Shahid, Disney+ and OSN+ launch exclusive streaming bundle across GCC

Updated 24 December 2025
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Shahid, Disney+ and OSN+ launch exclusive streaming bundle across GCC

  • Bundle available exclusively visa Shahid for $25 a month

RIYADH: In a landmark regional collaboration, Shahid, Disney+, and OSN+ have announced an exclusive streaming bundle that brings together world-class hits from the three platforms under a single subscription in a first-of-its-kind offer for audiences in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

The all-in-one entertainment package, available only through Shahid in the GCC for about $25 a month, grants subscribers full access to three leading platforms covering Hollywood blockbusters, Disney+’s expansive range of beloved films, animations and series, OSN+’s library of HBO originals and international hits, and Shahid’s Arabic premium content.

The bundle is designed to simplify subscription management with a unified payment model, allowing viewers to access all three apps at the price of two and offering a streamlined user experience. 

Natasha Matos-Hemingway, chief commercial and marketing officer at Shahid, said the partnership reflects a broader effort to expand digital entertainment offerings in the Middle East, catering to a growing audience seeking diversity, convenience and high-quality programming.

“We are proud to collaborate with OSN+ and Disney+ to offer an unmatched streaming experience to our subscribers,” she said. “With one subscription, one payment, and full access to premium content from all three platforms, we’re delivering unbeatable convenience, value and entertainment.”

With a growing demand for high-quality on-demand content, the bundle is expected to attract a wide range of users seeking comprehensive entertainment without juggling multiple subscriptions.

The move also signals increasing cooperation between global media giants and regional platforms, in a bid to meet the entertainment preferences of Arab audiences while expanding market reach.

Karl Holmes, SVP and general manager at Disney+ EMEA, said the collaboration will bring award-winning series like FX’s “Shogun” and favorites such as “Lilo & Stitch” into a unique bundle with Shahid’s regional hits including “Al Dariya.”

The agreement “reflects a shared ambition between Disney+ and Shahid to shape the future of entertainment in the Middle East,” said Holmes. “The Middle East is young, dynamic and fast-growing, and we’re delighted to give consumers a new and easy way to access extraordinary content at exceptional value.”

Choucri Khairallah, chief business officer at OSN+, said the partnership takes OSN+’s entertainment experience “to the next level.”

He added: “Today’s audiences expect more than great content; they seek seamless access, variety and exceptional value. This all-in-one bundle delivers exactly that.”