Editor’s spotlight — updated daily
Farid El Atrash
Syria
Farid El Atrash 1910-1974 was a Syrian-born composer, actor, and producer who became a giant of Arabic music and cinema. Known as the King of the Oud, he starred in films like My One and Only Love 1957 and Afrita Hanem 1949. He was awarded the Order of the Nile and influenced listeners worldwide, including Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.