Ziad Al-Rahbani passed away today: left-wing singer, musician and theater actor - Friend of the Poor

The passing of the great artist Ziad al-Rahbani, son of artists Fayrouz and Assi al-Rahbani, was announced today in Beirut.

Sadness and pain spread throughout all the forces of the left, progress, and art in the Arab world, as Ziad al-Rahbani was not only a creative and innovative artist, but also a leftist political fighter, being a member of the Lebanese Communist Party - the only secular party in Lebanon, among dozens of religious-sectarian parties fighting each other.

Ziad al-Rahbani is considered a giant of modern Arab music. He gave the songs of his mother Fairuz a unique touch of contemporary music, and he was the one who introduced jazz music into oriental music and adapted it to oriental instruments and rhythms and their sounds. He composed songs for his mother Fairuz in the style of jazz and its instruments, without the Arab listener noticing it.

Ziad was also a comedian, a brilliant theater person, and a sharp and courageous social and political critic.

Ziad al-Rahbani became famous for his plays that reflected Lebanese reality in a satirical and intelligent style. His works were characterized by courage and deep analysis of society, alongside modern music.

Ziad al-Rahbani was known for his clear political positions, and he was one of the prominent artistic voices of the left in the Arab world. He adopted a progressive and secular approach from an ideological and artistic point of view, and turned his works into a stage that reflected the hardships of the Arab person in the face of war, oppression and social contradictions. He was a friend of the poor and their voice, despite growing up in a wealthy family – his mother Fairuz is the greatest singer in the Arab world and his father, Assi al-Rahbani, is one of the greatest musicians in the Arab world.

May his memory be blessed.