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Music Of Saudi ArabiaBoth Western and traditional music are very popular in Saudi Arabia. Like many of its Persian Gulf neighbors, khaleeji folk traditions are popular styles. The most distinguished musician in recent Saudi history is Tariq Abdul Haqim, who wrote the Saudi national anthem. Later musicians include the pan-Arab star Mohamed Abdu, Saudi Arabia's first pop star Abdul-Majeed Abdullah and the 'ud virtuoso Abadi al Johar. Egyptian pop music is also popular. Saudi traditional music is quite limited, however. The migratory lifestyle of the beduin militated against carrying excess baggage, including musical instruments. Simple rhythms, with the beat counted by clapping or striking together everyday implements formed the basis of the music. Instruments, like the double-reeded ney or the stringed rababa, were sometimes used, after being obtained in cosmopolitan cities like Basrah, Baghdad, and Jeddah. Music, however, was considered "sinful" by many of the strictly fundamentalist Muslims of the Arabian deserts. This is based, in part, on the lack of any favorable mention of music in the Koran, thus assuming it to be less than blessed by religious tradition. Particularly in the early days of the current Saudi state, religious authorities were quick to repress music other than the rhythmic percussion that still dominates contemporary Saudi music. The advent of radios, tape and CD players in the country saw the attendant growth of shops supporting them. Most cities of any size now have crowded music shops. With the coming of satellite TV, music video stations, ranging from MTV (Europe, Lebanon, and India versions), VH1, and assorted European and Arabic music channels are very popular. References - Badley, Bill. "Sounds of the Arabian Peninsula". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, pp 351-354. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-636-0
- For Folk traditions, see:
Urkevich, Lisa. "Saudi Arabia." The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. 2nd ed. Ed. Stanley Sadie. London: Macmillan, 2000. *Link: : specialist in music of the Arabian peninsula, esp. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
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