Umm Kulthum (born Fatima Ibrahim El-Sayyid El-Beltagi on 31 December 1898, died 3 February 1975) was an Egyptian singer, songwriter, and film actress active from the 1920s to the 1970s. She was given the honorific title Kawkab al-Sharq (كوكب الشرق, "Star of the East"). Umm Kulthum was known for her vocal ability and unique style. She sold over 80 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling singers of the Arab world of all time. She is considered a national icon in her native E ...