Ali Ismael: Egypt’s Musical Maestro | Al Jazeera World

Egypt’s cinema was prolific from the 1940s to the 1960s, a time when the stars of the silver screen captivated a generation of movie-goers.

But the films’ soundtracks were just as much a part of the appeal of these Arab cinema classics, and the man behind the vibrant rhythms of more than 350 movies was the legendary composer, Ali Ismael.

It was through playing the saxophone in the nightclubs of downtown Cairo that Ismael found his niche, and where he met the Greek film composer, Andre Ryder, who got him into movies.

An ardent supporter of former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, Ismael also wrote many patriotic songs.

Leave My Sky flew the flag during the Suez Crisis in the 1950s, and his music filled the airwaves during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. Flags of Victory also inspired Egyptian forces when they reclaimed Sinai in 1973, and the song, Fida’i’ or ‘Warrior, also composed by Ismael, later became the Palestinian national anthem.

Ismael’s life and career were cut short in 1974 when he suffered a sudden, fatal heart-attack aged only 51. His military funeral was widely covered by the press and also shown in cinemas.

Until today, his legacy remains as a prolific composer who brought joy to millions and whose songs became Arab classics.

In this rich and colourful documentary, Al Jazeera World tells the multi-layered story of the musician’s relatively short but successful life and career. Combining high-quality performances with incisive interviews, the film pays tribute to an Egyptian musical icon, whose popularity and cultural influence were felt by an entire generation across the Arab world.


In This Story: Cairo

Cairo, Egypt’s sprawling capital, is set on the Nile River. At its heart is Tahrir Square and the vast Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities including royal mummies and gilded King Tutankhamun artifacts.

2 Recent Items: Cairo

China calls for ‘independent, fully sovereign state of palestine’ 1

China calls for ‘independent, fully sovereign state of Palestine’

Blinken: Lebanon, Israel, Hezbollah Don’t Want Escalation

In This Story: Egypt

Egypt, a country linking northeast Africa with the Middle East, dates to the time of the pharaohs. Millennia-old monuments sit along the fertile Nile River Valley, including Giza’s colossal Pyramids and Great Sphinx as well as Luxor’s hieroglyph-lined Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings tombs.

The capital, Cairo, is home to Ottoman landmarks like Muhammad Ali Mosque and the Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities. 

4 Recent Items: Egypt

Chinese FM’s 2024 inaugural overseas trip: Its significance & implications

Ghana held by Egypt despite Kudus double | Afcon highlights | BBC Sport

Aid for Israeli captives and Palestinian civilians arrives in Gaza

Israel-Hamas reach deal to allow medicine to be delivered to hostages in Gaza

Leave a Comment

We don't require your email address, or your name, for anyone to leave a comment. If you do add an email address, you may be notified if there are replies to your comment - we won't use it for any other purpose. Please make respectful comments, which add value, and avoid personal attacks on others. Links are not allowed in comments - 99% of spam comments, attempt to post links. Please describe where people may find additional information - for example "visit the UN website" or "search Google for..." rather than posting a link. Comments failing to adhere to these guidelines will not be published.