Lebanese singer Marwan Mahfouz has died of complications due to Covid-19, at the age of 78.
The veteran performer died in hospital in the Syrian capital Damascus on Saturday, after being admitted last week with a fever and shortness of breath.
The death was announced through the Syrian press agency Sana.
Mahfouz had been living in Damascus for a month, having arrived in the city to perform a sold-out, and live-streamed, concert at the Damascus Opera House on June 23.
Accepting an invitation by the Syrian Ministry of Culture, Mahfouz elected to remain in the capital amid the pandemic, until it was safe to return to Lebanon.
The Syrian Ministry of Culture released a statement on its Facebook page, mourning the loss of Mahfouz.
“The great Lebanese artist Marwan Mahfouz died on the land of a country he loved and sang for,” the statement reads. “Coronavirus has managed to betray him despite the care and attention surrounding him. The ministry of culture extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Marwan Mahfouz and confirms that his sad departure is a painful blow to real art. He will leave behind an irreplaceable gap and the name of Marwan Mahfouz will live for ever when it comes to authentic Arabic music.”
Mahfouz was also remembered in his homeland with pop star Najwa Karam leading tributes from scores of Lebanese cultural personalities.
"God have mercy on the soul of artist Marwan Mahfouz," Karam posted on her social media accounts.
Documentary filmmaker and journalist Firas Hatoum paid tribute to the artist whom he felt was underappreciated in Lebanon. "And we are shocked to discover that all the Lebanese people know and love Marwan Mahfouz?" he said on Twitter. "For 20 years this person did concerts in Syria because if he had performed a concert in Lebanon, maybe you wouldn't find 50 people.”
Mahfouz is one of a growing list of regional cultural personalities to have died from health complications related to the coronavirus. They include Saudi Arabian singer Saad Al Tamimi, who died aged 93 on July 16, and Egyptian actress Ragaa Al Geddawy who died on July 5 at the age of 81. On July 21, Saudi Arabian singer Waed revealed her 20-year-old daughter, Hossna, tested positive for Covid-19.
While Mahfouz might not have been a blockbuster name, his six-decade contribution to the Lebanese artistic landscape is indisputable. His death is especially resonant as he was one of the few remaining artists, along with Fairuz, 84, whose career links back to what many view as the golden age of Lebanese music and stage – a period between the mid-1950s and 1970s. It was a period full of influential figures, such as the late Wadih al-Safi, Sabah and brothers Assi and Mansour Rahbani.
From supporting roles to a solo career
Mahfouz was born in the city of Zahle, east of Beirut, and moved to the Lebanese capital in his early twenties to study Arabic vocalism in a conservatory.
He landed his industry break in 1965, after The Rahbani Brothers spotted his television debut on the talent show Hiwayat.
The duo were impressed by Mahfouz's performance of al-Safi's Tal Al Sabah, and his rich tenor and technique. They promptly signed him up to perform in their 1965 Baalbeck Festival musical stage production Dawaleeb Al Hawa, alongside star Nasri Shamseddine and then up-and-coming artist Sabah.
This was the beginning of an eight-year partnership (1965 to 1973) with The Rahbani Brothers, which included supporting roles in seminal musical plays such as 1967's Ayam Fakhr Al Deen (starring Fairuz) and 1969's Al Shakhs. Both were performed at key Lebanese cultural events including the Baalbeck, Beiteddine and Cedars festivals.
It was in 1973's musical Sahriya, written by Ziad Rahbani, that Mahfouz came into his own as a performer. He played the co-leading role of a struggling musician, alongside star Georgette Sayegh, and critics raved about his performance, particularly his takes on a string of now Lebanese stage standards, including Ya Saif El Al Aada Tayel and Khayif Koun Ashqatik wa Habibatik.
For the next four decades, Mahfouz focused on his solo career, having produced dozens of albums filled with songs written by some of the most esteemed Lebanese composers and poets including, Abdel Jalil Wehbe and Botros Dib, as well as covers by El Safi and Melhem Barakat.
On the shoulders of giants
While it can be argued that Mahfouz didn’t get the acclaim he deserved in his homeland, the man himself didn’t seem to mind.
In one of his last interviews with Syria's Al Madina FM in March, he said working with the giants of Lebanese music over the course of his career gave him the most satisfaction.
"There is no doubt that I am lucky. It is nothing short of a blessing to be born in a time full of great people who heard you and encouraged you to keep going,” he said. “I realise that I have never performed or worked with a person whom I didn’t love or they loved me. When you work in such an environment then the music comes from the heart. And what comes from the heart reaches the heart.”
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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The specs: 2018 Maserati GranTurismo/GranCabrio
Price, base Dh485,000 (GranTurismo) and Dh575,000 (GranCabrio)
Engine 4.7L V8
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Power 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 520Nm @ 4,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.3L (GranTurismo) and 14.5L (GranCabrio) / 100km
Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
Price: Dh601,800
On sale: now
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
More on Quran memorisation:
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
Brief scoreline:
Tottenham 1
Son 78'
Manchester City 0
Honeymoonish
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APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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MO
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Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
