Singer Sherifa Fadel Passes Away

Veteran Egyptian singer, Sharifa Fadel has passed away at the age of 85, a member of her family announced on Saturday.

“My aunt, the mother of the hero, the late singer Sharifa Fadel, has passed away … The funeral prayer is held at the Sayyida Nafisa mosque after the afternoon prayer and will be later buried at the family cemetery, " the singer's nephew, Tarek Nada, wrote on Facebook.

The acclaimed singer died after decades of being absent from the art scene. She left behind an iconic repertoire of a raft of iconic songs that keeps her presence are still very much remembered.

Fadel, was born in Cairo in the thirties, her real name was Fawqia Mahmoud Ahmed Nada. Her father opposed her having a career in the entertainment field, however, her mother played a crucial role in shaping her artistic future. She joined the acting institute but did not complete her studies. 

Fadel appeared for the first time on the screen in the 1947 film "Al Ab"(The Father).

She worked for a short time in the radio with renowned radio figure Baba Sharo, before she married Elsayed Bedir, who directed her in one film before they separated.

Musician Mohamed Al-Moji collaborated with her on her first song "Amana Ma Tshahrni Ya Bokra".

Despite the song having an emotional tune it distinguished her in the folklore genre that kicked off her stardom.

Fadel collaborated with composer and singer Mounir Murad on many hits such as "Haret Al Saqayin", "Falah", "Sheikh Masoud", "Al-Lail", and "Ah Minel Sabr".  

She also worked with great composers such as Riyad Al-Sunbati, Baligh Hamdi, Sayed Mekawy, and Mahmoud Al-Sharif.

In the seventies, Fadel released the song "Umm Al-Batal" to honor her son Sayed Elsayed Bedir, following his death in the War of Attrition.

She founded a famous theater on Haram Street and performed concerts in many Arab countries, including Tunisia, Lebanon, and Kuwait.

Fadel also participated in several films, including "Haret Al Saqayin" (1966), "Sultana al Tarab"(1978), and "Tal Al-Aqrab" (1985).