Najat Al Saghira Honored as Cultural Personality of the Year at Abu Dhabi Book Fair
- Egyptian singer Najat Al Saghira was honored with the Cultural Personality of the Year award at the 36th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.
- The prestigious distinction places Najat Al Saghira alongside previous Egyptian recipients, including musician Omar Khairat in 2023 and Ahmed Al Tayeb, in 2013.
- Born in 1938, Najat entered the film industry at a young age, making her cinematic debut in the 1947 film "Hadiya" before expanding into a singing and acting...
Egyptian singer Najat Al Saghira was honored with the Cultural Personality of the Year award at the 36th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. The accolade from the Sheikh Zayed Book Award marks the first time a female artist has received the title since the awards were established. At 88 years old, the performer’s career was celebrated during a special session at the cultural event titled “Najat Al Saghira: The Memory of Arab Art.”
A Historic Honor in Abu Dhabi
The prestigious distinction places Najat Al Saghira alongside previous Egyptian recipients, including musician Omar Khairat in 2023 and Ahmed Al Tayeb, in 2013. The award recognizes her profound impact on modern classical Arabic music and her dedication to performing complex poetic verses. Ali Bin Tamim, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre and secretary-general of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, stated that Najat’s selection honors her enduring influence on Arabic song and culture. He highlighted her focus on classical poetry and her collaborations with celebrated composers such as Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Riyad Al Sunbati, Kamal Al Tawil, Baligh Hamad, and Sayed Mekawy.
https://x.com/ADMediaOffice/status/2100268516679221433
Legacy of the Nightingale of the East
Born in 1938, Najat entered the film industry at a young age, making her cinematic debut in the 1947 film “Hadiya” before expanding into a singing and acting career. Over subsequent decades, she worked with prominent poets like Nizar Qabbani, Mamoun El Shennawy, and Abdel Rahman El Abnudi. Her cinematic credits include “Black Candles,” “My Dear Daughter,” and “Beach of Fun,” with her final film appearance coming in the mid-1970s drama “Jaft al Dumou” before she shifted her primary focus exclusively to music. Throughout her journey, she earned high-ranking state honors from leaders across the Arab world, including Egypt, Tunisia, and Jordan.
Public Celebrations and Social Media Tributes
The singer’s rare public appearance at the Abu Dhabi exhibition drew significant attention from attendees and generated widespread digital engagement. Fans and public figures shared photographs with the artist, expressing admiration for her lasting cultural footprint.
Emirati singer Ahlam Al Shamsi posted a photograph with Najat on Instagram, writing, I cannot describe to you my happiness
to have met her. The warm reception in the United Arab Emirates follows her previous public return in 2024 at the Joy Awards in Riyadh, where she received a lifetime achievement honor.
https://x.com/AhlamAlShamsi/status/2100217809133580610