The moment I landed in Beirut, I learned the famous singer Sabah had died Nov. 26 at the age of 87. The immortal diva had been a household name for all those familiar with Lebanon and Arab music and cinema, especially the Egyptian films that influenced the region far and wide, including Turkey’s film industry of the 1950s, 1960s and even the 1970s for good measure.
Thousands of Sabah's admirers, from statesmen to average citizens, filled a downtown Beirut church Nov. 30 to say farewell to the legend. Beirut's Daily Star reported: “Perhaps the most touching of all tags was the one written by the other legendary icon of Lebanese art, Fairouz, 'Your sun never sets,' she wrote.”
