New music from Afaq Art Production

Founded in Egypt in 2021, Afaq Art Production has been built on the artistic philosophy to honour the rich traditions of Arabic music while presenting them through a modern creative lens capable of reaching audiences across geographical and cultural spheres. Formed on the belief that music serves as a truly universal language, the label has developed a catalogue that celebrates tradition without treating heritage as something fixed in time. Its productions seek dialogue between history and the present, offering works that remain tethered Arabic musical identity while embracing ambitious orchestral arrangements and modern production aesthetic.

The label first introduced its vision through 2023’s Althulathia (The Trilogy), a release that attracted attention from admirers of refined Arabic music. Since then, Afaq Art Production has continued expanding its ambitions, with further productions planned through 2026. The latest chapter arrives with “Bejamalen (With Beauty),” a release that reflects the company’s desire to create music where artistic excellence, spirituality and cultural preservation all coalesce into a stunning musical moment.

At the centre of the pies lies a Sufi-inspired qasida written and composed by Moroccan scholar, poet and musician Sheikh Abd Al-Ghani Al-Umari Al-Hasani. His work explores themes of divine love, spiritual awareness and the pursuit of higher understanding before concluding in praise of the Prophet Muhammad. The composition reflects a philosophy informed by both scholarship and musical discipline, bringing together spiritual contemplation with an intricate understanding of maqams, harmony, rhythm and the wider histories of both Eastern and Western music.

Al-Hasani views music as a meeting point between science, spirituality and civilisation; his creative outlook encourages meaningful dialogue between cultures through knowledge and craftsmanship, making “Bejamalen” feel attached to centuries of tradition while remaining open to contemporary interpretation. The qasida follows his earlier composition “Althulathia,” further extending an artistic partnership with Afaq Art Production that continues to explore the emotional and philosophical possibilities of Arabic music.

Bringing those words to life is Egyptian vocalist Ziad Kamal, whose combination of technical training and expressive performance gives the composition its emotional impact. At 24 years old, Ziad balances an academic background in mechatronics at Ain Shams University with extensive musical study, developing his understanding of Eastern maqams alongside violin and oud performance. His vocal abilities have already earned significant recognition, including victory in the Dr. Ratiba El-Hefny competition at the Cairo Opera House, where he now performs.

That combination of formal musical education and vocal sensitivity proves especially suited to “Bejamalen,” allowing its devotional character to play out gently via a performance that feels measured, expressive and profoundly respectful of the text’s spiritual themes. His interpretation becomes another example of Afaq Art Production’s wider mission to nurture artists capable of carrying classical traditions into a contemporary landscape.

Internationally respected Egyptian composer and producer Maestro George Kolta oversees the orchestral arrangement and direction, drawing upon experience gained through collaborations with artists including Ragheb Alama, Tamer Hosny, Carole Samaha and Abdullah Al Ruwaished. Working alongside his Syncop Orchestra, George creates an arrangement that blends classical orchestration with ensemble performance and traditional Eastern instrumentation, resulting in a dazzling eleven-minute outing that flows through passages of delicate instrumentation and moments of vocal-led arrangement all wrapped up in a cinematic sonic fabric.

Brimming with bright melodies and pattering rhythmic elements, “Bejamalen” offers an utterly engrossing musical voyage that preserves the traditions of Arabic music while taking it in exciting new directions. As Afaq Art Production continues to bring together accomplished composers, gifted performers and extraordinary orchestral panache, the label continues to build a catalogue where spiritual heritage, musical scholarship and contemporary production exist in perfect harmony and we can’t wait to see what the label has in store next.

Listen to Bejamalen (With Beauty) below

More from Music

---

Editor Picks

---