Thuraya Qabil passed away today after battling health problems in recent years. With her passing, the Arab cultural scene loses a pioneering female voice, whom the late writer Mohammed Hassan Awad described as "the Khansa of the twentieth century" due to the depth of her poetry and her literary boldness that was ahead of her time.

Born in the heart of historic Jeddah

The deceased was born in the prestigious Qabil family home in the Al-Mazloum neighborhood in the heart of Jeddah. She hailed from a long-established merchant family whose name is synonymous with the city's most famous commercial street, Qabil Street. Thuraya Qabil lost her father at a young age, and the responsibility of raising her fell to her aunt, Adila Qabil, who had a profound influence on shaping her strong character. She did not limit herself to traditional education but traveled to Beirut to pursue further studies, earning a degree from a private college. This contributed to her cultural broaden her horizons and nurtured her literary talent at an early age.

Literary leadership and social boldness

Thuraya Qabil is a true pioneer of the women's literary movement in the Kingdom. She inscribed her name in history as the first Saudi poet to publish a printed collection of classical Arabic poetry, "The Weeping Meters," which was published in Beirut in 1963. Her career was characterized by boldness and confidence, as she was the first to publish her literary work under her own name in newspapers and magazines, bypassing the pseudonyms that were prevalent at the time, thus paving the way for many female writers after her.

A distinguished journalistic career

Besides poetry, the late writer had a long and distinguished career in journalism. She moved between the corridors of the press as an editor and opinion writer for major Saudi newspapers such as Okaz and Al-Riyadh. She also served as editor-in-chief of Zeina magazine between 1986 and 1987, and wrote influential articles in the Meccan newspaper Quraish and the Saudi newspaper Al-Bilad, as well as the Lebanese newspaper Al-Anwar during the 1960s, expressing societal concerns and women's issues.

Icon of Hijazi song

Thuraya Qabil shaped the hearts of Arab and Saudi listeners through her colloquial poems, which became timeless musical masterpieces. She formed an exceptional artistic duo with the late Fawzi Mahsoum , enriching the musical repertoire with unforgettable works such as "Min Ba'd Mazh wa La'b" (After Joking and Playing), "Jani Al Asmar" (The Dark-Skinned One Came to Me), and "Ya Man Bi Qalbi Ghala" (O You Who Are Dear to My Heart). Her lyrics were also sung by the Talal Maddah in masterpieces like "Adini Ahd Al Hawa" (Give Me a Promise of Love) and "Tamanait Min Allah" (I Wished from God). Her lyrical poetry was distinguished by its genuine emotion and use of authentic Hijazi vocabulary, rightfully earning her the title "Voice of Jeddah."

In a move reflecting the ongoing development of the Arab entertainment industry, renowned Lebanese producer Jamal Sinan, owner of Eagle Films, announced a new artistic project that will reunite him with rising Saudi star Ibrahim Al-Hajjaj. Filming for this highly anticipated project is scheduled to begin immediately after the conclusion of the 2026 Ramadan drama season, making it one of the most prominent projects planned for the upcoming season.

Details of the technical collaboration and partnership

Jamal Sinan confirmed the announcement on his official Instagram account, sharing two photos of himself with Al-Hajjaj from behind the scenes of the production. In his caption, Sinan confirmed that the upcoming project will be a short series, describing it as "exciting and unique," which has piqued the public's curiosity about the role Al-Hajjaj will play, especially after his string of successes in film and television. This collaboration reflects the eagerness of Arab producers to attract Saudi talent, who have established a strong presence on the regional scene in recent years, in line with the artistic renaissance taking place in the Kingdom.

Ibrahim Al-Hajjaj in Ramadan 2026

On another note, Ibrahim Al-Hajjaj is preparing to enter the Ramadan 2026 television season with the series "Diary of a Married Man." The show is a social comedy that explores the everyday ironies and humorous situations that arise in married life, a genre in which Al-Hajjaj has previously excelled. This series further cements Al-Hajjaj's position as one of the most prominent comedy stars in the Gulf, capable of carrying leading roles that appeal to a wide audience.

The cast of "Diary of a Married Man"

The Ramadan series features a stellar cast alongside Ibrahim Al-Hajjaj, including Fatima Al-Sharif, Aida Al-Qasai, Fatoun Al-Jarallah, Faisal Al-Dukhi, Nawaf Al-Shubaili, Najla Al-Abdullah, Nada Ibrahim, Saeed Saleh, Mohammed Al-Qahtani, and Reem Safia. Written by Nawaf Al-Muhanna and directed by Abdulrahman Al-Salman, the series promises a harmonious blend of experience and youthful energy.

Notable cinematic activity

It's worth noting that Ibrahim Al-Hajjaj's most recent artistic endeavor was on the big screen in the Saudi film "Ambulance," which was recently released on digital platforms. The action-comedy film starred a number of prominent actors, including Basma Dawood, Hassan Asiri, Faisal Al-Dukhi, and Egyptian star Ahmed Fahmy. It was written by Alberto Lopez and directed by Colin Tough. This versatility across film, television drama, and digital platforms demonstrates Al-Hajjaj's artistic intelligence and his ability to adapt to diverse roles.

In a swift turn of events that have recently captivated Egyptian public opinion and the artistic community, renowned musician Hani Mehanna issued an official statement offering a sincere apology for his recent remarks that touched upon the legacy of the late actresses Faten Hamama and Shadia. This apology follows a wave of widespread controversy and strict disciplinary measures taken by media and professional bodies in Egypt.

Details of the official apology

Through his personal Facebook account, Hani Mehanna broke his silence, confirming that he was closely following the wave of anger and criticism that swept across social media and artistic circles following his recent television appearance. In his statement, Mehanna emphasized his deep and longstanding respect for the Egyptian and Arab public, as well as for his colleagues and prominent figures in the artistic community, indicating that what happened was entirely unintentional.

Reasons for the error: age factor and air pressure

In an attempt to clarify the situation, musician Hani Mehanna attributed the confusion that occurred in the narration of information to two main factors: the first is the factor of advancing age, which may sometimes lead to the overlapping of names and situations in memory, and the second is the pressure of live broadcasting, which imposes a fast pace that requires the immediate retrieval of information, which may trap the speaker in the snare of unintentional inaccuracy.

The place of Faten Hamama and Shadia in artistic memory

This incident is particularly sensitive given the immense artistic value of both Faten Hamama, the "Lady of the Arab Screen," and Shadia, the beloved icon. These two figures are not merely names in the history of Egyptian cinema; they are symbols of Egypt's soft power, holding a sacred place in the hearts of millions. Therefore, any discussion touching upon their biographies or personal lives is often met with extreme sensitivity and fierce defense from the public and critics alike, which explains the strong reaction to Mohanna's statements.

Disciplinary decisions and organizational context

Mahna's apology coincided with decisive official moves to regulate the media landscape. The Supreme Council for Media Regulation issued a decision to refer the musician for investigation and ban him from appearing in the media, while the Syndicate of Artistic Professions referred him to a disciplinary board. These decisions reflect the commitment of relevant institutions in Egypt to upholding professional and ethical values ​​and ensuring that deceased artistic figures, who no longer have the right to respond, are not harmed, thus reinforcing the principle of media responsibility.

A call for tolerance and turning the page

Hani Mehanna concluded his heartfelt statement with a sincere apology to the souls of the two great artists and their families, appealing to his vast audience to understand the situation and forgive this unintentional mistake. Mehanna based his request for forgiveness on his long and distinguished artistic career, which testifies to his respect and appreciation for everyone he has worked with in the arts, hoping that this apology would put an end to the dispute.