The nightingale was optimistic until the last days of his life.

The Nightingale was a title given by Badih Serbey to the legendary Abdel Halim Hafez in the 50s. Halim was delighted with the title and sent him a telegram to Beirut asking for permission to use the title in advertising for one of his concerts. Since that day, the title accompanied Abdel Halim throughout his artistic career, and Badih Serbey wrote the story of the title in many articles in Al-Mawed, contrary to what is being circulated on social media of incorrect stories, but Al-Mawed is always written and documented with words and pictures.

It was a lifelong journey and a long friendship that connected my father and the Nightingale, built on trust, respect, affection, and milestones of success. This picture was the cover of the Nightingale in the first issue after his death, No. 751 of Al-Maw'ed magazine, issued on April 7, 1977. Badih Serbey wrote the title on the cover "My Son" and on the corner "Star Street"... It is fate and destiny, my son. It is worth noting that the last poem sung by the Nightingale was "The Cup Reader", written by the poet Nizar Qabbani and composed by the musician Mohamed El Mougy.

I once met the Nightingale at the chalet of the Lady of the Arab Screen, Faten Hamama, when she invited my father and his family to lunch in Alexandria. We were surprised when the Nightingale entered in his sports clothes. The whole session was fun and laughter. I remember that the Nightingale said to us: (What do you think, children? Shall I drive you around in an open car)… We were happy, and indeed we sat with him and he was driving the car himself. Pictures of us were taken and published by Al-Mawed magazine, which turned out to be popular, as they documented Halim as his fans had never seen him before, in his natural state, enjoying his vacation, the summer, and the sea.

Despite his illness, Abdel Halim was always optimistic. Even on his last trip to London, after he was admitted to King's College Hospital, he contacted Cadillac to buy a new car. He also bought new curtains for his house in Cairo, and surrounded himself with optimism. But when his doctor, Dr. Rogers, told him that he needed a liver transplant, Abdel Halim refused to undergo the operation, and understood that the end was near.

This photo was on the cover of the Nightingale in the first issue after his death, No. 751 of Al-Maw'ed magazine, issued on April 7, 1977.

The second picture was the introduction to this issue, and it is a message from the Al-Mawed magazine staff to Al-Andaleeb.



This image has been converted from the original medium format film, resulting in a sharp and detailed image.

By May Serbey Chehab, from the Book "Boulevard of Stars: The Golden Age of Arab Entertainment".