Mahraganat, often known as "electro-shaabi", or popular electro, relies heavily on computer-generated and synthesised beats, and has a wide reach. Some purists in socially conservative Egypt -- a cultural powerhouse in the Arab world -- view its blunt lyrics tackling topics including love, power and money as overstepping moral boundaries.
Egypt’s ‘zar’ ritual puts exorcism on stage
Zar is one of the ceremonies among the few cultural practices in which women take center stage. Traditionally, the zar ritual would last several days and include animal sacrifices.
Singers in the dark: Syria ‘power cut video’ goes viral
The video for the song "Ya Weel Weely", which topped five million views on YouTube within days of its release, was shot entirely in a small room lit by battery-powered devices
