Crescendo of criticism as Israel plans concert to mark Umm Kulthum’s death anniversary

An Israeli band’s announcement that they are set to hold a concert to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum has sparked sweeping condemnation, with many calling it a form of appropriation of Arab culture.

The Israeli band, known as Al-Noor, made the announcement last month on its social media platforms, and said they would hold concerts in several cities, including Jaffa, Jerusalem, Haifa, Beersheba and Petah Tikva.

An Israeli Facebook page titled ‘Israel speaks Arabic’, which has over 3 million followers, made the announcement on Tuesday.

"International singer Violette Salameh, along with 30 other musicians will perform a selection of Umm Kulthum’s most beautiful and famous songs, which continue to live in the hearts of Arabs," the post read.

"A large audience of Israelis- both Jews and Arabs- who are passionate about her music rushed to buy tickets for the concerts held across Israel, in a scene that underscores the power of music and unites hearts and builds bridges between cultures," the post continues.

However, the post was quickly slammed on social media, with many calling it an example of "Israel’s continued attempts to appropriate Arab heritage," The New Arab’s Arabic language sister publication reported.

Social media users pointed out that the iconic singer, who was born in 1904, was a national treasure, who sang for the Egyptian army during its wars against Israel.

"Umm Kulthum is older than Israel itself," one person wrote.

Egyptian screenwriter and the head of the Composers and Writers Association, Medhat el-Adl, also weighed in on the topic, writing: "Israel is accustomed to stealing land, so is it any wonder that it steals songs?"

El-Adl said he was also angered to learn that some of the El-Adl Group’s films were also being screened in Israel without prior permissions.

Israel has previously been accused of broadcasting Umm Kulthum’s songs without acquiring rights for them, as well as using her music in an attempt to normalise relations with Arab nations.

Activists have also pointed out that Israel regularly appropriates Arab culture, including food and clothing.

Umm Kulthum is one of the regions most famous singers, known for her songs that boosted morale, particularly during the Suez crisis in 1956. Her music was also known for promoting Arab nationalism and anti-colonialism.

She spoke about the plight of Palestinians several times in radio interviews and expressed that Palestinian land must not be occupied or stolen by Zionists. Her first time visiting Palestine was in 1928, following an invitation from the Arab Youth Association in Haifa.

The singer was born into a peasant family and grew up in rural Egypt and started off learning and reciting verses of the Quran, before her father noticed her voice and encouraged her to take part in religious performances, before she eventually started singing.

Her voice was so powerful and enchanting, businesses would often close, and people would rush home to hear her on the radio.

Umm Kulthum died on February 3, 1975 from kidney failure, and her funeral, held at a mosque in central Cairo, was postponed for two days, against Islamic norms, to accommodate the over four million mourners who came to bid her farewell.