Al Mawed

Al Mawed (Arabic: مجلة الموعد) is a Lebanese art and entertainment magazine founded in 1953 by journalist Mohamed Badie Sarbieh. It is widely regarded as one of the most famous art magazines in the Arab world and a pioneering school in entertainment journalism. Initially launched as a semi-monthly publication, it transitioned to a weekly format at the request of the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum. The magazine is published in Beirut by Dar Al Badie for Publishing and Distribution and is currently headed by Nada Mohamed Badie Sarbieh, following the death of its founder in 1994. The magazine's history is deeply intertwined with the golden age of Arab cinema and music. After its first issue in 1953, it began distribution in Egypt three years later, which greatly expanded its fame. Al Mawed is credited with creating many of the most enduring nicknames for Arab stars: founder Mohamed Badie Sarbieh was the first to call Abdel Halim Hafez "Al-Andaleeb Al-Asmar" (The Brown Nightingale), Souad Hosni "Al-Sinderella," Faten Hamama "Lady of the Arab Screen," and Mohamed Abdel Wahab "Musician of Generations." These titles became permanent parts of the stars' identities. The magazine faced severe challenges during the Lebanese Civil War in the early 1980s, when its printing presses and offices were destroyed and burned multiple times. Despite these setbacks, it continued to publish and remains active today, with a strong online presence. Its website features articles on classic and contemporary Arab entertainment figures, preserving the legacy of the golden era while covering current events. Al Mawed is not just a magazine but a cultural institution that has documented and shaped Arab pop culture for over seven decades.

Al Mawed magazine was founded in 1953 by Mohamed Badie Sarbieh, a young journalist who was 23 years old at the time. The first issue was published on January 1, 1953, as a semi-monthly publication. Sarbieh, who dreamed of journalism, formed friendships with many artists who were at the beginning of their careers, and these relationships helped shape the magazine's identity as a close chronicler of Arab entertainment. Three years after its founding, in 1956, Al Mawed began distribution in Egypt, which was a major factor in its widespread fame. The magazine's transition from semi-monthly to weekly was made at the request of the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum, who was known as "Kawkab al-Sharq" (Star of the East). This change marked a significant expansion in its reach and influence. During the 1950s and 1960s, Al Mawed became a leading voice in Arab entertainment journalism. Its founder, Mohamed Badie Sarbieh, was the first to bestow many of the most famous nicknames on Arab stars. He called Abdel Halim Hafez "Al-Andaleeb Al-Asmar" (The Brown Nightingale), Souad Hosni "Al-Sinderella," Faten Hamama "Sayyidat al-Shasha al-Arabiyya" (Lady of the Arab Screen), and Mohamed Abdel Wahab "Musiqar al-Ajyal" (Musician of Generations). These titles became inseparable from the stars' public personas and are still used today. The magazine faced severe hardships during the Lebanese Civil War in the early 1980s. Its printing presses and offices were destroyed and burned multiple times, threatening its existence. Despite these challenges, Al Mawed persevered and continued to publish, maintaining its role as a cultural beacon. Mohamed Badie Sarbieh led the magazine until his death in 1994. After his passing, his daughter, Nada Mohamed Badie Sarbieh, took over as editor-in-chief. Under her leadership, the magazine has continued to adapt to changing media landscapes, including establishing a strong online presence through its website, almawed.com. The magazine remains published in Beirut by Dar Al Badie for Publishing and Distribution and is considered one of the most famous art magazines in the Arab world, a pioneering school in entertainment journalism.

• 1994

  Founder Mohamed Badie Sarbieh dies; his daughter Nada Mohamed Badie Sarbieh becomes editor-in-chief.

• 1980

  During the Lebanese Civil War, the magazine's printing presses and offices are destroyed and burned multiple times.

• 1956

  Magazine begins distribution in Egypt, leading to widespread fame.

• 1956

  At the request of Umm Kulthum, the magazine transitions from semi-monthly to weekly.

• 1953

  First issue of Al Mawed published on January 1 as a semi-monthly magazine.

Pioneering Arab art and entertainment magazine, a school of entertainment journalism, and the originator of iconic star nicknames.

• Al Mawed weekly magazine

  A weekly art and entertainment magazine published in Beirut, covering Arab celebrities, cinema, and music.

• almawed.com

  Official website featuring articles on classic and contemporary Arab entertainment figures.

1. 1Al Mawed Magazine official websitealmawed.com
2. 2Al Mawed - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3مجلة الموعد - Wikipedia (Arabic)ar.wikipedia.org