The well-known art critic Tarek El-Shennawy commented on the decision of the young artist Sanaa Nabil, granddaughter of the “Star of the East” Umm Kulthum, to retire from art and wear the hijab. He pointed out that the issue goes beyond a mere personal decision related to appearance or religion, reaching deeper dimensions related to the artist’s relationship with art and cultural identity.

El-Shennawy wrote on his Facebook account: “The story is not just that Sanaa decided to wear the hijab, or that she belongs to a great artistic family like Umm Kulthum’s family, but the real tragedy lies in her decision to completely quit singing, despite being a graduate of the Music Institute and having a voice appreciated and admired by her family and audience, especially since her voice carries a unique imprint she inherited from her grandmother.”

He pointed out that “linking the hijab to quitting singing reflects an internal crisis experienced by many professional artists, who find themselves torn between their desire for artistic expression and their commitment to religious values. Meanwhile, Umm Kulthum continued to present her magnificent musical works until her last days, highlighting that the issue is not merely about appearance or religion, but a deeper internal struggle.”

El-Shennawy added that “Sanaa Nabil grew up in a strong religious environment, being the daughter of a mosque sheikh, and memorized the Qur’an, with a dream to record it, which shows that her decision is not limited to the hijab but is connected to a deeper understanding of art and its role in her life.”

Sanaa Nabil had attracted wide attention after participating in the program “The Voice Kids,” where she received great admiration from the audience and critics. She was described as a natural continuation of the great artist, the “Star of the East,” but then suddenly disappeared from the artistic scene without an official announcement. Later, news spread about her wearing the hijab and her complete withdrawal from singing and art.
In contrast, the screenwriter Medhat El-Adl expressed his deep surprise at her decision during the inauguration of the new headquarters of the Association of Authors and Composers, expressing his sadness over the retirement of Umm Kulthum’s granddaughter, saying: “Umm Kulthum died at the peak of her art, and when I heard that her granddaughter retired and wore the hijab, I was shocked. This reflects a real artistic and cultural crisis we are experiencing today.”

Sanaa Nabil responded respectfully to these statements, affirming her full respect for everyone’s opinion but emphasizing her right to make her personal decision away from any debates or conflicts. She expressed her desire to maintain her privacy and respect her decision to retire.

The story of Sanaa Nabil raises an important question about balancing an artist’s commitment to religious values and involvement in art, and whether it is possible to combine the two or if there is an irreconcilable conflict — a topic that still occupies public opinion and is widely discussed among specialists and audiences.

In the end, the story of Sanaa Nabil remains a reflection of the internal struggles experienced by many young artists in our societies, who try to balance their religious and artistic identities, as well as traditions and modern developments in the world of art and culture.

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