In a touching and humane moment that captivated the Gulf and Arab audience, the iconic Kuwaiti actress Suad Abdullah her silence to reveal the details of her painful visit to her longtime friend, the esteemed actress Hayat Al-Fahad , who is currently in intensive care at a Kuwaiti hospital, amidst prayers from her fans for her speedy recovery.

Details of the touching visit: “One of my family”

During a phone interview on Marina FM radio, Souad Abdullah spoke with deep sadness and sorrow about her colleague's health, describing her as "one of the family." Abdullah said, "Hayat Al-Fahad is not just a colleague; she is like a sister to me, a member of the family. Our relationship goes back to the 1960s. We appeared together and were associated with the black and white works that shaped the memory of Gulf drama.".

With words choked with emotion, Suad recounted the details of her visit to the hospital, saying: “It is never easy for me. I went to her in the hospital and sat talking with her, but she did not feel my presence. The image of her on the recovery bed is linked to my mind and it pains me.”.

A history of loyalty and deep friendship

These words were not merely an expression of a fleeting sentiment, but a reflection of decades of camaraderie and friendship between the two leading ladies of Gulf television. Souad Abdullah highlighted the loyalty they shared, recalling Hayat Al-Fahad's support during her previous health crisis in London. She added, "She always inquired about me and was a trusted confidante, keeping my secrets from anyone. This is true loyalty. We are from the same generation, and a deep spiritual and artistic bond exists between us that cannot be erased by minor disagreements that might occur in any family.".

Pillars of Gulf drama and their artistic influence

This news has sparked concern among the Kuwaiti and Gulf public, given the immense popularity of these two stars among Arab viewers. Souad Abdullah and Hayat Al-Fahad formed a golden duo, enriching the Arab cultural landscape with timeless works that boldly addressed societal issues with dark humor and sophisticated drama. Hayat Al-Fahad's illness today is not merely entertainment news; it is an event that touches the memories of generations raised on the creativity of these pioneers who established the artistic movement in the Gulf region, prompting an outpouring of prayers for the recovery of "Umm Suzan" (a nickname for Hayat Al-Fahad).

Developments in Hayat Al-Fahad's health condition

On the medical front, the Al-Fahad Foundation issued an official statement clarifying the latest developments, confirming that the esteemed artist is under close medical observation in the intensive care unit in Kuwait. This decision followed her return from a treatment trip to London that did not achieve the desired results due to the severity of her stroke.

The statement explained that the supervising medical team decided to complete the treatment within the country, while preventing visits at the present time in order to preserve her safety and provide the utmost comfort, amid the public’s anticipation of any promising news that will bring back the smile to lovers of authentic Gulf art.

Tunisian star Hend Sabri to the widespread controversy that has recently spread across social media platforms and artistic circles, regarding the similarity between the story of her new series “Immunity”, scheduled to compete in the Ramadan marathon of 2026, and the iconic film “Al-Batiniya” by the star of the masses, Nadia El Gendy.

The truth about the similarity with "esotericism"

In recent television interviews, Hend Sabry categorically denied that her series is a remake or adaptation of the 1980 film "El Batneya," a landmark in Egyptian cinema. Sabry emphasized that "Manaa" presents a completely different dramatic story in terms of its approach and treatment, noting that the only common element between the two works might be the time period or the general atmosphere of the crime world, but there is no basis for a direct comparison with a work of the scale and historical significance of Nadia El Gendy's film.

This clarification comes in an important context, as the film “Al-Batiniya” is considered a fundamental cinematic reference when talking about the drama of drug trafficking in popular Egyptian neighborhoods, which makes any work that approaches this area subject to immediate comparison by the public and critics.

Role details and dramatic challenges

Regarding the nature of her role, which has sparked much curiosity, Hend Sabry revealed that she portrays a drug dealer, describing the role as full of psychological and physical challenges. She explained that the series, through its escalating events, explores the dire consequences awaiting those involved in this dark world. The Tunisian star pointed out that while the work is inspired by real stories reflecting aspects of society, it does not document any specific real case. Rather, its primary aim is to offer a rich dramatic experience that combines entertainment, excitement, and suspense for the Arab audience.

The production team and the 15-episode phenomenon

The series "Immunity" belongs to the genre of 15-episode dramas, a format that has become favored by both drama producers and audiences in recent Ramadan seasons due to its ability to condense events and avoid drawn-out storylines. The series is based on a story and screenplay by Abbas Abu Al-Hassan , known for his realistic and bold writing in the world of crime, and directed by the talented Hussein Al-Manbawi .

The work includes a selection of stars, as the cast, alongside Hend Sabry, includes: Riad El-Khouly, Maha Nassar, Khaled Selim, Ahmed Khaled Saleh, Mohamed Anwar, Karim Kassem, Ahmed El-Shami, Huda El-Etreby, and Ahmed Habashi, in addition to a number of guest stars who will enrich the events.

A strong return to Ramadan competition

This project holds particular significance as it marks Hend Sabry's return to Ramadan dramas after a four-year hiatus. Her last Ramadan appearance was in the 2021 series "Counterattack" alongside Ahmed Ezz, a drama that tackled Egyptian intelligence files and achieved considerable popular success. In "Immunity," Sabry is banking on delivering a new dramatic style to add to her diverse artistic repertoire, raising expectations for the 2026 Ramadan season.

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."