Egyptian singer and actor Talaat Zein has returned to Cairo after spending 16 days in Saudi Arabia, during which time he performed Umrah. This was Zein’s second visit to Saudi Arabia, but his first to Jeddah and Riyadh. Zein is best known for his singing talents which include four albums with such hit songs sch as “Taala”, “Tikki Ta”, “O’ La La”, and “Ahla Eyoun”, the Arabic version of the popular song “Macarena.” In recent years, Zein has been concentrating on acting, starring in three major Egyptian motion pictures including, “Africano”, “Alb Gare”, and “Ezzai Tikhali El Banat Tihibak”.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News from Cairo, Zein spoke of his experiences during Umrah and his impressions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people.
“Jeddah made me feel like I was in Europe. The shopping outlets, roads, monuments and general layout of the city are unlike any I have seen in the Middle East. I couldn’t believe I was in an Arab country. I was truly surprised at how modern Jeddah is. It was not what I pictured at all,” Zein said. “I was also quite impressed with Riyadh. The Faisaliyah Tower and Kingdom Tower are amazing. The view from the Faisaliyah Tower is among the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. It gives the Eiffel Tower some competition,” he continued.
“Of course none of that would have been possible had it not been for the vision of the people of Saudi Arabia. The Saudis are a generous, giving and respectful people. I was constantly being welcomed and greeted by people who recognized me. The love and affection I felt from them made me feel at home, so much so that if I had to choose a country other than Egypt to live in, it would be Saudi Arabia.”
Regarding the Umrah, Zein said: “This was my second one. My first was during the month of Rajab. This Umrah was during the month of Ramadan. Performing it during Ramadan is a very different experience. Seeing the hundreds of thousands of people gathered in one place to worship produced a feeling of unity that made me feel that we as Muslims were truly one people, regardless of borders. I even met Muslims from as far away as Japan.”
Zein was born and raised in Alexandria. At 20, he moved to Cairo where he joined “Les Petits Chats,” a group which produced such talent as world-reknowned composer Omar Khairat and Egyptian actor Ezzat Abu Ouf. Talaat enjoyed singing western hit songs during his shows, but changed to Arabic songs after singing “Rageen” with Amr Diab. “Once upon a time the type of audience was different; they appreciated romance and candle-lit dinners, but now things have changed. If you want to earn your bread, you have to give people what they want to hear which included Arabic songs,” he said.
Zein concentrates on acting now. He explained: “Not so much because I have lost touch with my romantic, musical side, but because I dislike most of what sells nowadays. I disagree with how marketing is done today. If I am to do anything, my heart has to be in it in order to produce the best possible results for my fans. I sing first, to please my audience and then to make money, but not the opposite, and that will not change.” Zein is convinced that the present trend is only a phase, and that there is no way that it will continue. “I will go back to singing if I find the right producer who agrees with me,” he added.
This Ramadan, Zein starred in a candid-camera style show which aired on Egyptian Channel One. He played the part of Mr. Ricardo Zenito, a supposed recruiter for Real Madrid Football Club. During the show, he interviewed several Egyptian soccer superstars, making them believe that they were being considered for a position on the Real Madrid team.
He put the players in less-than-comfortable situations, asking them outrageous questions. The show was a hit and may be broadcast on satellite channels in the Middle East and the rest of the world. He is currently reviewing two scripts, one of which will become his next motion picture.
