Amal Hijazi (; born 20 February 1977) is a Lebanese actress and singer. Hijazi released her first record in 2001 and made her breakthrough a year later with her second album. In 2017 the BBC reported that her 2002 album ''Zaman'' was "one of the best selling Arabic pop records of all time".. She released her debut album, '' Akher Gharam'', in 2001, followed by her second album, '' Zaman'' in mid-2002. The latter included four number one hit singles, " Zaman", " Oulhali", " Einak" and " Romansyia". Her third album '' Bedawwar A Albi'' was released in early 2004 followed by the release of her fourth album '' Baya al Ward'' in 2006. In 2007 she released " Nefsy Tefhamny" and she released her fifth studio album, '' Keef el Amar'', in 2008. In September 2017 she announced that she was retiring from popular music and in December that year she released a song in honour of the Prophet Muhammad.

Early life

Amal Hijazi was born in

Beirut Beirut ( ; ) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Lebanon. , Greater Beirut has a population of 2.5 million, just under half of Lebanon's population, which makes it the List of largest cities in the Levant region by populatio ...

, Lebanon, to a

Shia Shia Islam is the second-largest branch of Islam. It holds that Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib () as both his political successor (caliph) and as the spiritual leader of the Muslim community (imam). However, his right is understood ...

family originally from Kfarfila, a town in the

Nabatieh Governorate Nabatieh Governorate (, ') is one of the nine governorates of Lebanon. The area of this governorate is 1,058 km2. The capital is Nabatieh. Districts The governorate is divided into four districts (Aqdiya, singular qadaa) containing 130 mu ...

, southern Lebanon. She has five siblings, and her father died when she was ten years old. She lived in France for ten years during the

Lebanese Civil War The Lebanese Civil War ( ) was a multifaceted armed conflict that took place from 1975 to 1990. It resulted in an estimated 150,000 fatalities and led to the exodus of almost one million people from Lebanon. The religious diversity of the ...

, studied Architecture and graduated in 2001.

Career

2000–2003: Rise to fame

Her first single '' Halan'' ("Right Away") was released in 2000 and acted as a catalyst for Hijazi to establish herself as a female artist in Lebanon. Hijazi's managers asked her to record another. Hijazi's second single '' Rayyah Balak'' ("Put Your Mind at Ease") was released a year later, for which she also shot a music video. On the same year her debut album '' Akher Gharam'' was released followed the lead single of the same name. The album was produced by Dilara Master Production and distributed by Music Master. Hijazi released her second studio album in 2002 '' Zaman'' (''Long Ago''). The title track, " Zaman" (cover of the Turkish song "Zaman" from Bendeniz, released in 2001) is still considered to be Hijazi's

signature song A signature (; from , "to sign") is a depiction of someone's name, nickname, or even a simple "X" or other mark that a person writes on documents as a proof of identity and intent. Signatures are often, but not always, handwritten or styliz ...

. Hijazi was invited by the Jordan River Foundation to hold a concert under the patronage of Queen Rania Al-Abdullah. In 2003, she re-sang "Zaman" with Turkish singer Bendeniz for her album "Demedim Mi". A music video was released for the song and aired on Turkish as well as Arabic channels

2006–2008: ''Baya al Ward'' and ''Keef el Amar''

After an absence that lasted for more than two years, Hijazi released her fourth, studio album, '' Baya al Ward'' in 2006. The album generated extremely negative reviews due to its bold lyrical content and unusual artwork. Hijazi had returned with an extremely sophisticated look that generally attracted negative publicity and controversies where she appeared with short, pixie blond hair and clothes that "promoted

homosexuality Homosexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or Human sexual activity, sexual behavior between people of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality is "an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexu ...

and

lesbianism A lesbian is a homosexual woman or girl. The word is also used for women in relation to their sexual identity or sexual behavior, regardless of sexual orientation, or as an adjective to characterize or associate nouns with female homo ...

" according to critics. The music video of '' Baya al Ward'' heavily criticized and caused huge controversies that Hijazi was promoting

. Hijazi denied the allegations, however critics argued that the T-shirt she was wearing in the music video had several symbols imprinted on it which belonged to a garment manufacturer, specialising in clothing for homosexuals. At a press conference she held in Dubai to announce the launch of her album, Hijazi clarified that she did not know what the symbols on the shirt meant or that she never thought to find out when she chose to wear it. Critics argued that Hijazi had gone to extremes and cut her hair shorter than that of an ordinary woman. The video was accused of being unorthodox because Hijazi cuts her hair off and drowns herself at the end out of depression over the man who left her. In 2007, Hijazi released a new single, " Nefsy Tefhamny" which was a traditional and modern Khaleeji song. In 2008, Hijazi's released her fifth album '' Keef el Amar'', which includes the single " Nefsy Tefhamny".

2009–2017: ''Waylak Min Allah'' and ''Fen el Dameer''

The album's second single "Albi Nadak" was released in 2009, a year later. Hijazi has stated that she has dedicated the song to motherhood and appears in the clip as a pregnant woman, the video was directed by Salem al Turk. Amal Hijazi came out with the new album '' Waylak Min Allah'', with a single from it released with the same title. The single has reached No. 1 in Lebanon and the story line of the video related to her husband betraying her love and also the country. The words mainly deal with his betrayal of her love and the time they spent together in the past, and reminiscence about time lost. At the end of 2011, Amal filmed a new video clip for her song "Ba'ayounak Za'al" followed by another video clip for the song "Be a'melni" early on 2012. As the Arab revolutions began and the violation of human rights increased, Amal released her single "Fen el Dameer" "Where is the Conscience" in April 2013. The song lyrics dealt immediately with situation of the Arab World. Hijazi filed a lawsuit against the music production company, Rotana, following their failure to stick to the terms and conditions of their contract."Amal Hijazi sues the Arab World's largest record label Rotana!"
'' Albawaba'', 28 January 2015

2017–present: Religious music

Personal life

Hijazi married Mohammed al-Bassam in 2008; they have two children, Karim and Lareen.

Controversies

Relationships with other singers

Elissa

Other than the heavy controversies behind her latest album, Hijazi has also been accused of imitating the popular Lebanese singer Elissa, especially in the video of Hijazi's hit song, "Bedawwar A Albi" ("Searching for my heart"). Hijazi however denied the accusations stressing that each of the singers has her own unique style. Hijazi added that her song was filmed long before Elissa's "Hubbak Waja" and had been airing on different satellite channels sometime in 2004. Unlike the rumors, Hijazi stressed that she is not enemies with Elissa, stating, "We are merely two people who do not mix with one another, and if we by chance meet we just say 'hello.'" Hijazi also stated that she does not compete with any specific singer, but rather is inspired by the success of others and strives to always do her best. In 2004, however, Hijazi put everything aside and made a personal visit Elissa to give her condolences after the latter lost her father to cancer. Elissa welcomed Amal with open arms and expressed her gratitude towards Amal's attempt to stand by her side at such a troublesome time.

Nancy Ajram

There were rumors of Hijazi criticising

Nancy Ajram Nancy Nabil Ajram (, ; born May 16, 1983) is a Lebanese singer, television personality, and businesswoman, dubbed by Spotify as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Arab Pop". With the support of her father, she began performing ...

of singing on stage while pregnant. Hijazi has however denied the allegations stating, "All what I said is that I don't find it fit for a pregnant singer to perform on stage. I didn't hit on Nancy at all."

Nawal Al Zoghbi

Recently, Hijazi has accused

Nawal Al Zoghbi Nawal El Zoghbi (, also spelled Nawal Al Zoghbi; born 29 June 1972) is a Lebanon, Lebanese singer and actress. She is called the Golden Star, She achieved popularity first by singing traditional Arabic music with a pop sensibility, and also em ...

for stealing her contract of the Kuwaiti optical company Fashion Look. Hijazi added that al Zoghbi stole the commercial and took it for herself, by asking one of her business managers to call the contact company owner and asked him to have Nawal make the advertisement for less money instead of Hijazi. Hijazi stated that she had seen the contract that al Zoghbi signed with the company and found out that al Zoghbi was paid less than the offer they had given her.

Banning in Kuwait

In April, Hijazi expressed her shock at being banned from entering Kuwait despite her continuous efforts to travel there. The singer had submitted numerous requests to obtain a visa for both holding concerts for her Kuwaiti fans and for leisure, but all attempts were rejected. The singer stated that she was told that Kuwaiti officials had ordered for her ban without giving her any justifications. Hijazi noted that she will not let the matter be until she is able to find out the real reasons behind her ban.

Image and fashion

In 2002, after the release of her album '' Zaman'' rumours arose that Hijazi was involved in a number of cosmetic surgeries due to her new look. Hijazi however denied the statements saying that she only had one plastic surgery and that was

rhinoplasty Rhinoplasty (, nose + , to shape), commonly called nose job, medically called nasal reconstruction, is a plastic surgery procedure for altering and reconstructing the human nose, nose. There are two types of plastic surgery used – plastic sur ...

. She added, "I refuse to insert silicon or any other thing into my body, and greatly fear the negative side effects too many plastic surgeries may have." In 2005, Hijazi was especially chosen by the Lebanese designer Joe Raed as the model for his new line of wedding dresses to be released this summer season. Ra'ed revealed that he chose Amal for her good-natured qualities and her beauty.middle east news information::Amal Hijazi makes the perfect bride
at albawaba.com Hijazi was named 8th Arab Sexiest Woman Alive in 2008, ahead of artists like Elissa,

and

Najwa Karam Najwa Karam (; ; born 26 February 1966) is a Lebanon, Lebanese singer, songwriter, producer, fashion icon, and television personality. She has sold over 60 million records worldwide and was recognized as the highest-selling Lebanese people, Leba ...

.Lebanon Entertainment::Arab Sexiest Woman Alive '08
In addition, Hijazi managed to receive twice as many votes as the Egyptian singer

Sherine Sherine Sayed Mohamed Abdel Wahab (; born 8 October 1980), known professionally as simply Sherine, is an Egyptians, Egyptian Singing, singer, Actor, actress and music judge who is dubbed ''"The Voice of Egypt"''. Sherine was formerly a judge on ...

Discography

;Albums * '' Akher Gharam'' (2001), Dilara Master Production * '' Zaman'' (2002), Dilara Master Production * '' Bedawwar A Albi'' (2004),

Rotana Records Rotana Music Group () is a Saudi Arabian record label and the music division of the Rotana Media Group. It was established by the Nagro Brothers, Mohammed, Khalid, Waleed, Ahmed and Nezar Nagro in 1987 and was later sold to Saudi billionaire Pri ...

* '' Baya al Ward'' (2006),

* '' Keef el Amar'' (2008),

* '' Waylak Min Allah'' (2010),

;Songs *2000: " Halan" *2002: " Zaman" *2002: "Weyli Wah" Ft. Omar and Rafi *2004: " Mistanie Eiy" *2005: " Bedawwar a Albi" *2005: "Jnoon Bihobak" with Rayan *2005: " Ba'ad Sneen" *2006: " Baya al Ward" *2007: " Baheb Nuoa Kalamak" *2007: " Nefsy Tefhamny" *2008: "Khalina Ne'oul" Ft.

Iwan An iwan (, , also as ''ivan'' or ''ivān''/''īvān'', , ) is a rectangular hall or space, usually vaulted, walled on three sides, with one end entirely open. The formal gateway to the iwan is called , a Persian term for a portal projecting ...

*2008: "Ahla Ma Fel Eyyam" *2009: "Deq El Mayy" *2009: "Alby Nadak" *2009: "Keef El Amar" *2010: " Waylak Min Allah" *2012: "B3younak Za3al" *2012: "Be3amelni" *2013: "Fen El Dameer" *2015:
El Layli

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hijazi, Amal 1977 births Lebanese anti-war activists Lebanese female models 21st-century Lebanese women singers Lebanese Shia Muslims Lebanese philanthropists Lebanese film actresses Lebanese television actresses Living people Rotana Records artists Musicians from Beirut Arabic-language singers of Lebanon Lebanese women philanthropists