Neglect Threatens Legacy of “Planet of the East” – Umm Kulthum’s House Faces Dilapidation
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On the 51st anniversary of her passing, renewed calls are being made to preserve the home of iconic Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, as the property continues to suffer from years of neglect.
The house, located in the village of Tamai Al-Zahaira in Sinbillawin, Dakahlia, has become a symbol of a broader concern over the preservation of Egypt’s cultural heritage. Despite multiple initiatives and directives, progress has stalled, leaving the legacy of the celebrated artist vulnerable to further decay.
Repeated Promises, Delayed Action
According to a family member, Khaled Samir Khaled, Umm Kulthum’s grandnephew, the situation has been ongoing for years. “In 2017, the National Council for Women launched an initiative to develop the village of Umm Kulthum and turn its house into a museum,” Khaled stated. “Committees came to inspect, along with the Governor of Dakahlia at the time, Dr. Ahmed Al-Shaarawy, and nothing was implemented on the ground.”
Further bolstering the family’s frustration, President Sisi reportedly directed the adoption of a development plan in 2021. A delegation from the Ministries of Culture and Tourism subsequently visited the site, taking measurements and creating maps for the project. Despite these efforts, “in implementation in July 2022, so far nothing has happened and the house has become dilapidated,” Khaled explained.
The deteriorating condition of the house is particularly disheartening given the continued international interest in Umm Kulthum’s life and work. Khaled noted that delegations of fans from countries like Senegal and Kuwait have recently visited the site, expressing regret at the visible neglect.
Governorate Pledges Renewed Commitment
Responding to the concerns, Major General Tariq Marzouk, Governor of Dakahlia, affirmed that the 51st anniversary of Umm Kulthum’s passing would be marked with a fitting tribute. “Based on the directives of President Sisi, the national project to develop the village and transform Umm Kulthum’s house into a museum will be revived,” he stated. “There is a high-level approach to honor her in a manner befitting her efforts and artistic, humanitarian, and patriotic merit.”
The governorate also announced additional initiatives to honor the singer’s memory, including naming the local health unit after her and dedicating the main hall of the newly opened Palace of Culture in Mansoura to her legacy. A statue of Umm Kulthum will be installed at the Palace of Culture, and concerts featuring her music, led by Maestro Alaa Abdel Salam, are planned. A competition, dubbed “Oscar Umm Kulthum,” will also be organized.
Family Launches Legal Challenge Over Controversial Film
The concerns surrounding Umm Kulthum’s legacy extend beyond the physical preservation of her home. A legal challenge has been filed against the makers of the film “The Six,” with the family alleging defamation and historical distortion.
Yousry Al-Sayed, the lawyer representing six of Umm Kulthum’s grandchildren, submitted a report to the Public Prosecutor, accusing the filmmakers of “insulting, slander, and a systematic war to falsify identity and target the Egyptian state and its national symbols.” A separate lawsuit has been filed with the Administrative Court seeking to halt the film’s distribution.
“Umm Kulthum’s family and the entire Egyptian people were shocked by the content of the film Al-Sitt, which carries an insult and deliberate distortion of the history of one of the ancient artistic and national symbols,” Al-Sayed explained.
The confluence of these events – the decaying state of her home, the stalled development project, and the controversy surrounding the new film – underscores the urgent need to safeguard the legacy of Umm Kulthum, a figure revered as the “Planet of the East” and a cornerstone of Egyptian cultural identity.
