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MOHAMMED ABDEL WAHAB (1901-91)

In Burjwan, Bab Al-Sharia (a district of Cairo), Abdel Wahab, son of Mohammed Issa Al-Sharani , was born on March 13th/ 1901 (records are uncertain as to whether the year was 1899, 1900 or 190 1), He became one of Egypt's and the Arab world's most famous musicians and composers and, in the culture of his era, one of the most famous singers. He died at one o'clock on the morning of 4th May, 1991.

Abdel Wahab studied at the Institute for Oriental Music and also at The Italian Institute (Burjurin) and graduated with an excellent command of French. He later taught musical notation and anthems at the School of the Khedive Ismail. in addition to the composition of music he acted in many films.

In 1930 he married a widow, who was his senior in years, but the marriage lasted only until 1942. His second wife was Ikbal Nassar, his third wife, Bahla Al-Qudsi. From his first marriage Abdel Wahab had three daughters, Aisha (Ash-Ash), Ifat (Fit-Fit) and Ismat (Tam-Tam), later, from his second marriage, there were two sons, Ahmed and Mohammed.

During his long life he visited many Arab and European countries but his first love was always Paris. Throughout his life, he was honoured frequently with many prizes and some 55 decorations including those of many other countries.

He served on many distinguished bodies throughout his life. In 1946 he become chairman of The Composer's Society, rind again in 1974, having participated in the founding of that organisation.

In 1956 he was elected chairman of the Union of Artistic Syndicates, and the head of the Musicians section. He took the chair at the first meeting of the executive bureau of the International Union of Composers Syndicates in Cairo in 1974.

In 1975 he was nominated Honorary Chairman of the Arab Conservatoire and, in 1986, the chairman of the International Conference for Arab Musicians, held in Cairo.

He composed a huge number of songs and anthems including (in 1940) the anthem of jihad for the Royal Guard. In 1953 he wrote the national anthems of both Egypt and Libya. And later, in 1972, he composed those of the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman. Near the end of his career life composed the melody used at the opening ceremony of the new Egyptian Opera House in Cairo.

He received from President Abdel Nasser in 1965 the Pendant of The Republic in addition to The Evaluative Premium of Egypt. There followed in 1970, from the Syrian Ambassador, the Independence Sash, 1^st Class awarded by the government of Syria in a ceremony which took place at his home. The same year King Hussein of Jordan awarded him the First Jordanian Pendant (AI -Kawkaba).

In 1977, the award was made by FMI Greece of a specially made silver disc honoring his distinguished career. This was presented to him by President Anwar Sadat in the company of EMI’s chairman. In 1981, in an artistic referendum held in Tunisia, Abdel Wahab came first with 85% of the votes.

Abdel Wahab was remembered with much affection by many of his friends for his abstemious attitudes towards his daily routine. He wore woollen socks all year round and never owned a ready-made suit. He took his breakfast at 10 a.m., his lunch at 2.30 p.m., and his dinner at 9 p.m. - bed was reached always at midnight. He hated attending funerals and always remained pessimistic about broadcasting the series My Life (Hayati) saying: ''I am still living. I've not died yet!"

He loathed travelling by air. When he heard an excellent proverb or saying he would jot it down in his little blue book. He never referred to an Arabya or Sayara (car) but always called it an automobile. When admiring another voice he would not exclaim Bravo! But Alah! Before presenting the world with a new composition Abdel Wahab would visit his mother's grave, where she had rested since 1963, to read some verses of The Holy Koran. Here are some of the lost events in his life.

The lost religious song he planned to sing and play (on the lute) was Labaikal Lahum Labaik, written by the lyric poet, Ahmad Shafik Kamal.

The last wedding party he attended was that for the son of the famous author Moses Sabri. His last visitor was the syrian singer Sabah Fakhri and the banquet held in his house was also attended by Dr. Tahsin Al-Hadidi and his daughter. During the party Sabah Fakhri sang some songs as well as Abdel Wahab's own Ya Jaratal Wadi.

His last dinner consisted of salad, without salt or vinegar, a spoonful of honey, a small piece of roosted meat and boiled artichoke. Four days before his death he received a visit from His Highness The Emir of Madina, Abdul Majid Bin Abdul Aziz.

At his passing the first to express his deepest condolences was the Saudi Minister of Defence, Emir Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, one of his dearest friends. The heirs of the great musician are his third wife, Nahla Al-Qudsi (Um Omar), his two sons Mohammed and Ahmad Abdel Wahab and his daughters Aisha, Ismat and Fit-Fit.

The Emir Yusif greatly admired Abdel Wahab who sang throughout his life before many kings and emirs, he became known as their own singer. His many titles included: The Great Musician- The Master -The Doctor - The Giant - The Arab's First Musician -The Master of Renovation - The Emir of Ecstasy -The Nightingale -The singer of Kings and Emirs - The Beethoven of the Orient- The valentine of the Orient -The Singer of Sudan & Egypt - The Singer of Beauty & Youth – The Curlew of the Orient - The Major General- The Holder of the Platinum Disc -The Holder of the Pendant of the Republic - The Musician of the Two Generations.

May the great Abdel Wahab rest in peace.

Nizar Homsi, Dubai - February 1996.

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