Iraqi singer Kazim Al Saher has confirmed that his new album will be released this month. The singer told tabloid! that he would love to perform for his fans in the UAE, and was waiting for an invitation to come and sing.
Al Saher was invited to Dubai by Italian luxury jewellery brand Bvlgari to attend the launch of the brand's 2010-2011 watch collection.
The singer, who is best known for singing classical Arabic poetry besides Iraqi songs, says he finds himself best at singing classic Arabic poetry. Some of his best-known songs are based on poems by the late Syrian romantic poet Nizar Qabbani.
"Since I was 12, I composed my first song and it was a classical Arabic poem, and I deal with many poets, including Karim Al Iraqi and As'ad Al Umairi," he said.
"I also write for myself, but the great master Nizar Qabbani is in a class of his own," he added.
Commenting on a recent news story about a ban on music teaching in Iraq, Al Saher said this simply couldn't be true because "Iraq is a country of culture, literature, art and civilisation. There's no way this could happen", according to him.
"It simply is not true," he said. "We, as Iraqi artists, are always supporting our country and its culture. A nation cannot survive without arts."
Addressing his fans in the UAE, Al Saher said: "My fans are dear to me everywhere, and I would like to tell them that the new album is ready to be launched by the end of the year. I sing because I love you."
Jokes do nothing
Believe it or not; it has been over a decade since Egyptian actor Mohammad Sa'ad appeared for the first time playing the clueless, yet loveable character Al Limby.
To Arab audiences, Sa'ad's Al Limby is one of the best known fictitious characters of this generation. Need a comparison? Think of Al Limby as what Tyler Perry's creation Madea is to American audiences.
Al Limby first appeared on the big screen alongside the late Ala'a Waley Al Deen in Al Nazer (The Headmaster), and the character became such a hit that Sa'ad scored a movie of his own, the self-titled Al Limby, followed by a sequel, Elly Balley Ballak (What's in My Mind is In Yours Too).
Unfortunately, as with a lot of celebrities these days, fame allegedly went to Sa'ad's head. The actor became notorious for being difficult on set, so much so that when it came to shooting the third El Limby film, not one but two directors walked out on the project.
Director Ashraf Faik stepped in and helped complete the film, resulting in Al Limby 8 Giga (Al Limby 8 Gigabytes). No, we have no idea what the gigabyte mention in the title refers to, and frankly, it would have been better if this project didn't make it to the big screen to begin with.
Here Sa'ad is joined by Mai Ezz Al Deen who plays his wife. He plays a failed lawyer, while she's a teacher, and they're both broke and trying for a baby. The premise is not funny to begin with, and the stale jokes do nothing to help the film's cause. Best to watch a film at Dubai International Film Festival instead.
Tamer gets branded
Egyptian superstar Tamer Husni has been appointed ambassador of Police sunglasses for 2011-2012. At a press conference in Dubai, the singer announced the details of his appointment as brand ambassador in the Middle East and North Africa. The singer also presented his latest song at the press conference and attended a gala dinner held in his honour at Atlantis The Palm.
Diab meets his injured fansEgyptian singer Amr Diab visited a number of fans in hospital after they were injured at his concert the previous day. According to news reports, 53 students required medical attention after a stand at Future University in Cairo, where the concert was held last weekend, collapsed. Diab is said to have spoken to some of the students, wishing them a speedy recovery at Ahly Bank hospital.
Big-hearted Al Jasmi
Emirati singer Hussain Al Jasmi has been praised by Kuwait's first visually-impaired singer Sahar Al Ajmi after he became the first Arab singer to duet with her. According to Al Ajmi, who found fame through a Kuwaiti singing competition, two well-known Kuwaiti singers refused to share the stage with her before Al Jasmi expressed interest in collaborating with her.
"They didn't want to sing with me, because of my disability," Al Ajmi said. "However, Hussain Al Jasmi had no such problem. He is a great singer and wonderful role model."
Celebri-Tweets of the week
"Arab Helpers - United We Stand - Divided We Fall!"
Hend Sabry, Actress
"Hola to all my fans! Missing you. New material coming soon."
Amr Mostafa, Singer/Song-writer
"So tired of women stating the obvious and calling it feminism."
Amy Mowafi, TV Presenter and Author
With input from R.J.M., Gulf News Report
