(1930-1976)
Egyptian born Abdul Halim Hafez’s real name is Abdul Halim Shabana. His last name, Hafez, was a nickname given to him by the head of the Alexandria radio station. Since birth, Hafez’s life was been a series of disappointments. He spent most of his life blaming himself for his mother’s death because she died while giving birth to him. Furthermore, early on in his life, the pollution in Egyptian waters gave the actor an often fatal disease called Bilharzia.
Halim’s first song, Liqa’a (Meeting) was composed by Kamal Al Taweel.
However it wasn’t till he sang Safeeni Mara (Once), that the singer became a household name.
Throughout his short career which was curtailed short by his death, Hafez acted in 13 films, three of which starred Fatin Hamama.
Shadia was also co-star to Halim in three other films.
Other co-stars include Majida, Nadia Lutfi, Sabah, Lubna Abdul Aziz, Iman and Suad Husni.
On the personal level, the young singer was linked to various love affairs, the strongest rumor being the one connecting him to the beautiful Souad Husni. However, the singer denied any such rumors and so did Husni.
Meanwhile, other rumors cited him as a man who does not like his fellow artists. Some gossipmongers said the singer was on bad terms with Farid El Atrash and Hani Shaker.
His most famous songs are (Dai El Qandeel (The Light of the Lantern), Ahwak ( I Love You), Hilw Wa Kathab (Pretty and a Liar), Na’am Ya Habibi Na’am (Yes my Love Yes), Nar (Fire), Jabbar (Tyrant), Risala Min That El Ma’a ( A Letter From Beneath the Water), Qari’at Al Funjan (Coffee Reader) and many more.
However, the singer’s final song, Min Gheir Leih (Without Why) never saw the light.
Hafez was planning on singing the song after his medical trip to London. But, death was swifter and he never got to sing his final song. Mohammad Abdul Wahab and Hani Shaker, however, took the honors.
Hafez’s final film, Abi Fouq Al Shajara (My Father Above the Tree), costarred Nadia Lutfi, Mirvat Amin and Imad Hamdi.
Hafez died in 1976 of complications from Bilharzia.
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
