Saudi Singer Abadi Al Johar, Iraq’s Rahma Riad Open New #Lets Khorfakkan Season on High Note

Saudi legend Abadi Al Johar and Iraqi singing sensation Rahma Riad joined forces Friday night (Nov 4) to regale hundreds of music lovers at the new Khorfakkan Amphitheatre as part of the first concert of the new #Lets Khorfakkan season.

The opening night of the new season of music at the exquisite Khorfakkan Amphitheatre that celebrates the best of Arab heritage and Roman style architecture was dedicated to the time-honoured traditions of Khaleeji (Gulf) and Arabic music and poetry. 

The balmy evening began with Rahma Riad, the young Iraqi singer who has established herself in a remarkably short period of time, taking to the stage with the song “Ascend to the moon”. The artist took the audience on a journey of discovery and medley of emotions and lyrical beauty with a bouquet of songs including “Promise from me”, “Not his fault”, “Mako Minni”, “The Planet”, and “I dare you” etc.

She also enthralled the audience with a bouquet of popular songs from across the Arab world, including the song "I love you" by the Emirati artist Hussain Al Jasmi, and the masterpiece "People, they asked me," by the legendary Fairouz.

Rahma thanked the UAE audience for their enthusiastic support and interaction as well as the incredible atmosphere during her first ever concert in Khorfakkan. 

Ikhtaboot Al Oud

The evening however truly belonged to Abadi Al Johar, the legendary Saudi composer, singer and artist celebrated across the Arab world as the “Ikhtaboot Al Oud” (The Octopus of the Oud) and the “Musician of the Arabian Peninsula”. The audience enthusiastically welcomed the singer, who regaled the audience with some of his most popular songs, songs that have wowed generations of music lovers in the region for decades. The immortal songs such as "Khalas Arja'", "Daqeq" and "Hbak Sama" and numerous others that have wowed music lovers since the 70s and 80s.

With his magical and incredibly rich voice, not to mention his mastery of oud, Abadi entertained the audience late into the night.  Through his musical journey of more than 50 years and 53 albums, the singer has brought the young and old together helping them stay in touch with their traditions and heritage. His songs have kept pace with modernity without losing the spirit of originality and Arab lyrical traditions. 

Abadi brought the curtain down on the beautiful evening with the songs “Sekka Tawila” and “You are the last of my wealth”. The first concert of the #LetsKhorfakkan season turned out to be a sold-out affair. The Khorfakkan Amphitheatre is the latest cultural and artistic destination in the country celebrating authentic arts, heritage and creativity. The #LetsKhorfakkan season hosts leading Arab and Khaleeji artists and performers as part of Sharjah’s efforts to celebrate the artistic and cultural traditions of the Emirate and supports young artistic energies.