Timeline of Fairuz

Last updated July 17, 2019

This is the timeline of Lebanese artist Fairuz (Nouhad Haddad):

1935-1950s

1935

November 20, Nouhad Haddad is born in Beirut, Lebanon to Wadi Haddad (from Mardin, Ottoman Empire) and Lisa El Boustani.

Lebanon, officially known as the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus is west across the Mediterranean Sea. Lebanon's location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian hinterland facilitated its rich history and shaped a cultural identity of religious and ethnic diversity. At just 10,452 km², it is the smallest recognized sovereign state on the mainland Asian continent.

Mardin is a city and multiple (former/titular) bishopric in southeastern Turkey. The capital of Mardin Province, it is known for the Artuqid architecture of its old city, and for its strategic location on a rocky hill near the Tigris River that rises steeply over the flat plains.

The Ottoman Empire, historically known to its inhabitants and the Eastern world as Rome (Rûm), and known in Western Europe as the Turkish Empire or simply Turkey, was a state that controlled much of Southeast Europe, Western Asia and North Africa between the 14th and early 20th centuries. It was founded at the end of the 13th century in northwestern Anatolia in the town of Söğüt by the Oghuz Turkish tribal leader Osman I. After 1354, the Ottomans crossed into Europe, and with the conquest of the Balkans, the Ottoman beylik was transformed into a transcontinental empire. The Ottomans ended the Byzantine Empire with the 1453 conquest of Constantinople by Mehmed the Conqueror.

1946

Mohammed Flayfel (musician, composer and music teacher) notices young Nouhad's talents. She becomes his student at the Conservatoire Libanais for four years. He teaches her music, singing, and Qur_an tajwyd, a set of rules for the correct pronunciation of the letters with all their qualities and applying the various traditional methods of recitation.

Le Conservatoire libanais national supérieur de musique or The Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music was founded in the 1930s by Wadih Sabra, composer of the national anthem of Lebanon. Sabra's goal was to establish an institute of higher learning for music. The Conservatoire, which was headed by the well-known composer and conductor, Dr. Walid Gholmieh has more than 4,800 students taught by 250 professors. The Conservatoire is headquartered in Beirut with branches in Tripoli, Jounieh, Dhour El Choueir, Zahlé, Aley and Sidon.

1949

Nuhad Haddad starts as a chorist at the Lebanese National Radio, where she is given the stage name of Fairuz by its Director Halim Rrumy who presided over her entry examination's contest and by accompanying her as a Oud player, when she decided to sing for the occasion Ya Zahratan Fy Khayaly by Farid Al Atrach and then Ya Diraty by Asmahan. Halym Arrumy was very impressed by her vocal abilities as soon as the young Nuhad Haddad started singing.

1950

Halim Rrumy, Fairuz first composer, starts composing for her and then, too busy on account of his responsibilities as a Head of the National Lebanese Radio introduces her and praises her to Acy Rahbany (he finds her voice can sing to both Arab and western music), a then policeman who composes music, songs for his own sister Salwa Rahbany (who used to perform under the stage name Nawal) and plays at the National Lebanese Radio's Orchestra.
Fairuz is also accompanied in her beginnings by the orchestra of the Argentine musician Eduardo Bianco who was on a tour in middle east in the 1950s.

1952

Fairuz starts a new carreer as part of a trio with the Rahbany Brothers (3acy Rahbany who resigned from his position as a policeman and his younger brother Mansour Rahbany, who also left his position as a policeman to join 3acy and together form the Rahbany Brothers), who become henceforth her major lyricists, composers, and sole arrangers (even when Fairuz songs are not composed and/or written by the Rahbany Brothers ), under the signature of the Rahbany Brothers. Sometimes their youngest brother Ilias Rahbany makes the arrangements in their stead, and composes songs and musics either for Fairuz and/or for his eldest brothers' plays. Their musics, songs and arrangements are a revolution in Arab music, but they are harshly criticised at their beginnings and are accused of disparaging Arab art for their music is more often than not judged as too western and not at all Arab or oriental. Mohammed Abdelwahhad said to that effect that the Rahbany Brothers had a perfect knowledge of western music, and that when they composed a song, they knew what they were doing, and they wanted it to be the way it was.
November, her first huge success, "Itab" (Reproaches), a song composed by the Rahbani brothers. Fairuz becomes a major artistic figure in the Middle-East.

The Rahbani Brothers, Assi Rahbani, and Mansour Rahbani were Lebanese composers, musicians, songwriters, authors, playwrights/dramatists. They are best known for their work with Lebanese singer Fairuz.

1955

January 23, Fairuz marries Assi Rahbani.
Fairuz and the Rahbany Brothers are invited in Cairo by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture to record songs at the National Radio Idha3at Sawt Al3arab ( Voice of the Arabs' Radio Station ) for Palestine and songs by Egyptian and other Arab poets, as well as a singing play. Fairuz will sing either alone, accompanied by a chorus, or along with other Egyptian singers, such as Karem Mahmoud, for Raji3oun song dedicated to Palestine and Ziryab singing play. The musics will be composed and arranged by the Rahbany Brothers. In Cairo, Fairuz will also meet for the first time in her life and befriend Arab stars such as Umm Kalthum, Mohammad Abdelwahhab, Fatine Hamama, and will decline offers to play and sing in Egyptian films to start an artistic career in Egypt, as it was the case for most Arabs artists. Back in Lebanon, the Rahbany Brothers will make a second recording of Raji3oun ( we are back ), the song that made Fairuz the first female Arab singer to have sung for the Palestinian cause in 1955, rearrange it and release it in 1957 with Fairuz voice, without Karem Mahmoud, but accompanied by a Lebanese chorus and another Lebanese singer .

1957

Fairuz faces an audience for the first time in the Rahbany Brothers' musical play "Ayyam Al Hasad" (Days of Harvest) where she sings "Lebnan Ya Akhdar Helou" (Lebanon the Beautiful Green) in the Baalbeck International Festival.
Awarded "Cavalier" Order Medal of Honor by Lebanese President Camille Chamoun.
The Rahbanis turn down a request for Fairuz to sing at the presidential palace at the honor of the Shah of Iran, who is visiting at that time.

1959

Baalbeck International Festival, where she performs "Al 'Ursu Fil Qarya" (The Wedding in the Village) [also called "Al Muhakama" (The Trial)].
First appearance in Damascus International Festival.

1960s

1960

Damascus International Exhibition Festival.

1961

Damascus International Festivals and Baalbeck International Festival where she performs the musical play "Al Ba'albakiya" (The girl from Baalbeck).
In Brazil during a long period of drought, where it suddenly starts to rain as soon as she goes on to sing << Shatty ya dinyi : come down rain >> ! Millions of fans in Latin America start worshiping Fairuz.

1962

Fairuz performs at Royal Albert Hall in London.
She performs the musical play "Jisril Amar" (Bridge of the Moon) in Baalbeck.
"Awdat al 'Askar" (The Return of the Soldiers) musical in Le Capitole Theatre, Beirut.
Fairuz's sales pass the 10 million mark to become the first Arab female singer to achieve this number after Umm Kulthum.
She is awarded the Order of Merit by Lebanese President Fouad Chehab.

1963

Casino du Liban, where she performs the musical play "Al Layl wal Qandil" (The Night and the Lantern).
Order of Cedars, awarded by Lebanese President Fouad Chehab.
Performs in Jordan.
Receives the Medal of Honor awarded by King Hussein of Jordan.

1964

In the Cedars Festival, where she first sings Gibran’s "Give Me the Flute and Sing". The song establishes her as the Arab World’s most prominent name in music. She performs the musical play "Biyya'el Khawatem" (Rings for Sale).

1965

"Biyya'el Khawatem" (Rings for Sale) is made into a movie.
In Beiteddine International Festival.
Fairuz makes a pilgrimage to the City of Jerusalem, and prays at churches in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

1966

First time in Kuwait.
"Ayyam Fakhreddine" musical play in Baalbeck International Festival.
In Damascus where she sings "The Bells of the Return" for the Palestinian cause.
Fairuz is again invited to sing in Egypt. She is also the guest star in a National TV programme, where she is interviewed about her life and career, and answers questions asked by the audience. Fairuz is accompanied by the Rahbany Brothers and her sister Houda.

1967

The musical play "Hala wal Malik" (Hala and the King) in

Piccadilly Theatre, Beirut
Damascus International Festival
Cedars Festival, Lebanon (she sings "Zahratal Mada'in" (A Song for Jerusalem), and Abdel Wahab's "Sakanal Layl").

She receives the Order of Merit, First Class, awarded by President Nureddine al'Attassi, Syria.
Release of movie "Safarbarlik "(The Exile) about Ottoman occupation and resistance in Lebanon.

1968

Release of "Bintil Haris" (The Guard's Daughter) movie.
In Tunisia and Algeria.
"Ashshakhs" (The Person) musical play at the Damascus International Festival.
She receives the Key of the Holy City, awarded by the Cultural Committee of Jerusalem.

1969

"Ashshakhs" (The Person) musical play in:

Piccadilly Theatre, Beirut

"Jibal Ssawwan" (Sawwan Mountains) musical play dedicated to the Palestinian tragedy in:

Baalbeck International Festival without authorisation of the Lebanese authorities.
Damascus International Festival

A memorial stamp featuring Fairuz is issued by the Lebanese Government.
She records the Orthodox Great Friday Liturgy Hymns for the first time at St. George Church in Antelias. The event sets a tradition of Fairuz holding the Great Friday Funeral ceremony at a different church every year according to the Syriac/Greek/Russian Orthodox liturgy.
Her popularity soars to new heights as her music is banned in her own country Lebanon by order of the government because she refuses to sing at the honor of the Algerian president Hawari Bou Median.

1970s

Fairuz is alleged to have had other projects of films, one of which starring with Anthony Quinn, and another about the Palestinian cause.

1970

Brazil, and Argentina.
In Morocco, where the king of Morocco attends at the Capitol’s Stadium, an exception to the tradition that artists perform at the royal palace’s auditorium.
"Ya’eesh Ya’eesh" (Long Live Long Live) musical play at the Piccadilly Theatre, Beirut
She receives the Legion of Honour awarded by Lebanese President Suleiman Frangieh.
"Sahhi Nnawm" (Wake up) musical play at the Damascus International Festival.

1971

"Sahhi Nnawm" (Wake up) musical play at the Piccadilly Theatre, Beirut
A sold out 11 city tour in the United States, Canada and Mexico, during which she sings selections from "Nass min Wara".

Carnegie Hall, New York City, New York
Symphony Hall, Boston, Massachusetts
Place des Arts, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Ford Auditorium, Detroit, Michigan
Masonic Auditorium, Chicago, Illinois
Orchestra Symphony Hall, Chicago, Illinois
Music Hall, Cleveland, Ohio
Carnegie Hall Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Jesse H. Jones Hall, Houston, Texas
Memorial Art Symphony Hall, Atlanta, Georgia
Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Masonic Memorial Temple, San Francisco, California
Lebanese Syrian Center, Mexico City, Mexico

Release of 'Fairuz in America' a documentary about her tour, produced by Parker and Associates. The documentary becomes TV’s highest rated show in the Arab World.
"Nass min Waraq" (People Made out of Paper) musical play in Damascus International Festival.

1972

"Nass min Waraq" (People Made out of Paper) musical play at the Piccadilly Theatre, Beirut
"Naturet Elmafateeh" (The Guardian of the Keys) musical play at

Baalbeck International Festival
Damascus International Festival

September 26, Assi Rahbani suffers a severe brain hemorrhage that leaves him half-paralyzed.

1973

Ziad Rahbani, Fairuz and 3acy Rahbani's eldest son, gives Fairuz "Saalouni Nnas" (The People Asked Me - lyrics by Mansour Ra7bany, 3acy Ra7bany's younger brother and one of the Ra7bany Brothers, arrangements by Ilias Ra7bany, the Ra7bany Brother's youngest brother ), a song he had already composed and intended for one of his own musical plays and to be performed by one of his own plays' comedians, in the musical play "Al Mahatta" (The Station) performed at

Piccadilly Theatre, Beirut
Damascus International Festival

"Qasidet Hub" (A Poem of Love) at

Baalbeck International Festival (Last appearance until 1998)
Damascus International Festival.

1974

"Loulou" musical play at

Piccadilly Theatre, Beirut
Damascus International Festival

1975

Fairuz takes part in demonstrations against the civil war.
First time in France in May. She sings Habbaytak Bissayf in Paris in TF1 French TV channel's programme << Carpentier special show >> called "Numero 1", where she is invited by special guest Mireille Mathieu.
In Amman, Jordan.
She receives the Gold Medal of Honour awarded by King Hussein, Jordan
"Mais Elreem" musical play in:

Piccadilly Theatre, Beirut
Damascus International Festival

Fairuz refuses to sing at the honour of the Shah of Iran in the prestigious Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut during his visit to Lebanon.

1976

In Bardad, Iraq, where she sings " Bardad wa Shshu3ara_u Wa Ssuwaru " ( Bardad, poets and images )
In Damascus International Festival, where she sings for the first time "Bhebbak ya Lebnan" (Lebanon I Love You).
In Cairo, Egypt. The biggest crowd on a stage ever since Oum Koulthoum sang there 12 years before. Both singers drew nearly 4,500 people inside, and well over 15,000 crowded outside. The area had to be blocked off for security.
Rehearsals in Baalbeck for " Zaman Elissa", a musical play about Pygmalion's sister,Phoenician queen of Carthage Elissa. It is never presented due to the situation in Lebanon caused by the civil war. Fairuz performs instead in Iraq.

1977

Good Friday prayers held in Convent of Our Lady of Saidnaya. The Holy Seraphim Monastery is opened for the first time in 150 years for Fairouz to pray in. The area is shut down one week before the event for security reasons as about 1,600 people camp around the premises. About 6,500 people attend the event and for the first time she sings "La Tanouhi" (Don't Lament).

1977–1978

Her last musical play, "Petra", performed in:

Amman Roman amphitheater
Damascus International Festival (last appearance)
Piccadilly Theatre, Beirut (last appearance)
Casino du Liban

1978

In the London Palladium, where she first sings " Albosta ", ( The Bus ) her son Ziad Ra7bany's song form his play Binnisba Labukra Shu, rearranged by her husband 3acy Rabbany; her last appearance with Nasri Shamseddine before his death.

1979

In Al'Sharika in the UAE.
In the Olympia Stadium, Paris. She first sings "Sakkarouch Chaware" (They Have Closed the Avenues), referring to the destruction in Beirut. One week later the PLO-Lebanese Phalange war expands to become a civil war between the Lebanese Christian Phalange and the Left Wing and Pro Palestinian Movements. It is also the last concert with husband Assi Rahbani before their separation. A concert album is soon released. Fairuz's total sales pass the 20 million for the decade of the 1970s.
Arab media goes into shock as the artistic separation between Fairuz and husband Assi is officially announced. Ziad takes over the reins of his mother’s musical career as composer and artistic manager. They present their first album together, " Wa7dun " ( alone ), that include two songs by other singers from Ziad Rahbany's own plays (Al Bosta that Fairuz had already sung at the Paris Olympia, by Joseph Saqr form Binnisba la Bukra Shu musical play, and Ba3attilak form Nazl Assourour musical play) rearranged for Fairuz, and a song with lyrics by the Rahbany Brothers she had previously sung in her first concerts in UAE in Ashshariqah in April 1979, and then at the Paris Olympia in May of the same year. The arrangements are all by Ziad Rahbany. The album was lashed at and trashed by newspapers, accusing Fairuz of forsaking this time authentic music by the Rahbany Brothers for non-art by Ziad Rahbany.

1980s

1980

Riad Ssunbaty, who collaborated with Umm Kalthum for five decades, comes to Beirut especially to work with Fairuz. He composes for her three songs. The lyrics of two of these, Bayny Wa Baynak ( between you and I ), Amshy Ilayk Bil Hubb ( I go to you with love ) are poems by Joseph Harb. The third song's lyrics, Ahi Law Tadryn ( Oh if you only knew ), is a poem by Egyptian poet 3abdil Wahhab Mou7ammad. The songs haven't been released so far.
Fairuz releases her second album since her artistic separation from the Rahbany Brothers: Dahab Aylul, with lyrics by Joseph Harb and music by Philemon Wahby, with no collaboration whatsoever with Ziad Rahbany.

1981

Legend and Legacy Gran Tour in US and Canada where ticket sales pass the 1 million mark.

Theatre of the Performing Arts, Miami, Florida — October 2
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C. — October 4
Music Hall, Cleveland, Ohio — October 10
Carnegie Hall, New York City, New York — October 11
Masonic Temple, Detroit, Michigan — October 17
Place des Arts, Montreal, Quebec, Canada — October 22/23
O’Keefe Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto, Ontario, Canada — October 25
Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California — October 30
Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco, California — November 7/8
Music Hall, Houston, Texas — November 14
J. F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C. — November 15
United Nations’ General Assembly Lobby, New York City, New York — November 20
Symphony Hall, Boston, Massachusetts — November 22

Fairuz brother in law Mansour Rahbany tried to prevent her from singing her own songs that were composed and or written by the Rahbany Brothers. He will keep doing so ever since Fairuz artistic separation with the Rahbany Brothers whenever she performs on stage in concert.
Fairuz releases Legend and Legacy Gran Tour album entitled Hawa Beirut, live in USA and Canada.

1983

Fairuz goes back to her husband 3acy Rahbany after his second stroke to support him and stand by him, but it was never told by media and newspapers. They actually never did divorce, despite widespread rumors that reached far beyond Lebanon borders, but was driven to leave her household by the end of the year 1979. She was then accused and rumored to have left and abandoned and ill husband on his own. Such rumors never left her.
Jarash International Festival, last concert with sister Huda as the two separate professionally as well.
A series of concerts with Ziad Rahbany are announced to take place at the Picadilly Theatre in Beirut, but are soon cancelled due to the escalation of the civil war in Lebanon. Fairuz was to sing Libsu Lkffayi (they wore the kufiya) in support for the Palestinian cause, with lyrics by Talal Haydar and music by Ziad Rahbany, but it was also cancelled when it was found out that Talal Haydar had given the rights for the poem to others to sing and compose.

1984

In Sidney and Melbourne.
In Qatar for the first time.

1985

Another Arab media shock wave as the professional separation of Fairuz and sister Huda is officially announced.
In Abu Dhabi, UAE.
In Bousra Isky Sham Amphitheatre, Syria, in September, the biggest venue ever held in the Middle East; entrance is free and there are no tickets. About 30,000 people camp outside several days before the event. On the day, 13,000 fill up the stadium by dawn and all roads to the area are completely shut down. The crowds are out of control and beyond reason with elation as they carry Fairuz’s car on their shoulders after the concert. At her arrival in Damascus, and contrary to tradition, president Hafez al-Assad bows to her as he greets her. 'Bowing to the greatness of the Great One’ was the heading in the next day’s newspapers. President Assad gave her the highest of honours in the nation. Last appearance in Syria.

1986

13 June, at the Royal Hall Festival London, where ticket prices reached 1000 pounds sterling, she eclipses Frank Sinatra at the ticket sales box office (his concert was scheduled to take place two weeks after hers), which impresses the BBC and prompts it to invite her for an interview before her concert.
Good Friday at St. Elie church in Antelias area of East Beirut. The Lebanese Forces militia shut down the area as a security precaution as 3,500 people flock to the area from all over the divided nation. Well over 1,250 tourists also attend, in spite of unstable security in Lebanon.
June 21, her husband Assi Rahbani dies.
Christmas concert in St Margaret Church in Westminster, London, organised by the British Lebanese Association.

1987

Release of Maarifti Feek, second album with son Ziad Rahbany as main composer, lyricist and arranger. The album is again subject to controversy for containing western melodies and instruments critics find strange and foreign. They consider that while Fairuz believes she is bringing something new to her songs and music, her separation with the Rahbany Brothers is a tragedy with no ending.
In historic site 3arad Fort in Bahrain for the first time, biggest Fairuz venue in the Persian Gulf region. VIP ticket prices reach $1,500 and well over 2,500 attend.
United States Tour

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.
Lincoln Center, New York City, New York
Wang Center, Boston, Massachusetts
Ford Auditorium, Detroit, Michigan

Death of her daughter Layal due to a brain stroke, just a year after her own father and Fairuz own husband, Rahbany, the leading figure and brain of the Rahbany Brothers, dies.
Fairuz brother in law Mansour Rahbany starts preventing Fairuz from perfoming live songs written and composed by the Rahbany Brothers, even more since his brother 3acy Rahbany's death, pretending Fairuz, by performing without his consent and permission, violated his own copyrights as main living remaining composer and lyricist of songs by the Rahbany Brothers and thus the only legitimate heir to the Rahbany Brothers' heritage. He started to demand to be paid off by Fairuz pretending to be entitled to royalties, while he himself did renounce his rights to SACEM in the 1960's. Fairuz, as Acy Rahbany's legitimate widow and heiress, along with her children, is entitled herself to half of the Rahbany Brothers' heritage and royalties herself and the one who made most of the Rahbany Brothers songs and plays famous with her voice and acting. Also, some newspapers started to lash at Fairuz, harshly criticise her and speak ill of her, spreading utter lies and ill-intentioned rumors on her, her own children and the late 3acy Rahbany himself, whenever she performed live in concerts. Fairuz and her children in turn never asked to be paid off or claimed their rights had been violated whenever Mansour Rahbany played songs, musics and plays by the Rahbany Brothers himself or allowed other singers or musicians to do so without asking for Fairuz and her children's, all 3acy Rahbany's heirs and legitimate detainees of half of the Rahbany Brothers' copyrights, opinion, consent or permission. Mansour Rahbany started to use the Rahbany Brothers' musics, songs and plays under his own sole name after his Brother 3acy Rahbany's death, even for the musics, songs and plays 3acy Rahbany made himself alone or contributed to writing and composing along with his brother Mansour, as part of the Rahbany Brothers. This Fairuz and her children, all 3acy Rahbany's heirs and themselves heirs to the Rahbany Brothers'works, never did question or ask to be paid back for up until this day.

1988

16 October, hugely successful concert at the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy, Paris, with son Ziad Rahbany as artistic and programme director, arranger and pianist. Fairuz concerts' style changes, with more emphasis on music, and no more troups of dancers accompaning her in songs by herself, the chorus, or music by the orchestra.
Fairuz is the guest of French TV channel TF1 programme << Du côté de chez Fred >> during her stay in Paris for her concert, where she sings Yara, Ma _Dirti Nsyt, and Tla"na 3ala Ddaw. She is interviewed about her career, and meets Arab and French figures of culture, arts and politics who testify about their relationship to her as an artist and symbol, and how they perceive her.
She receives the Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres by French minister of culture Jack Lang, awarded by president François Mitterrand, France.
An obus falls on her home demolishing half her house. She refuses offers from Kings of Jordan and Saudi Arabia to stay safely in their countries. When asked what she was doing when it happened, she says she had been praying. She had told her friend Syrian writer Rada Samman who paid her a visit in 1987 that she had never thought of living her country in the twelve years that the civil war lasted. She told the following year in an interview in Egypt for her concerts that she couldn't live out of Beirut, like a fish in water.

1989

Release of Bilayl U Chity album, second album with Lyrics by Joseph Harb and music by Philemon Wahby as a tribute after Philemon Wahby's death. She signs the album with the following : << Illy Taraktun Shta_ulak, U Killi Lly Jayyin Ra7 Iy7ibbuk : Those you have left will miss you, and all of the forthcoming ones will love you >>.
Release of Live at the Royal Festival Hall London album.
Release of Westimster Saint Margaret Church Christmas concert album.
Fairuz is back in Egypt in July for the first time since Qasr Al Andalus 1976 Cairo concert to perform in five open-air live successful concerts between the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza. The Cancellation War starts in Lebanon.
In Kuwait after 23 years.

1990s

1990

First concert in Dubai.
Cancellation of another appearance at the Royal Hall Festival in London due to the death of her close friend, Alice Dagher in Beirut. Last reported meeting with sister Huda is at the funeral.

1991

Release of overdue Kifak Inta album in collaboration with son Ziad Rahbany as main composer, lyricist and arranger. kyfak Inta eponymous album's song is accused of inciting to adultery. The song will eventually become hugely successful and will be sung live at every Fairuz concert. It was first sung at the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy 1988 concert with Ziad Rahbany at the piano.
In Qatar. No tickets were released for sale, entrance is free to all.
For the first time she is at the St. Charbel shrine, her first public appearance in Lebanon, where she holds the Great Friday ritual funeral prayers. Prayers for Lebanon and the martyrs are lifted up at the end of the 30-year civil war. Well over 750 people attend inside and around 1,000 listen outside in spite of a rainstorm and still-insecure situation. She sings for the first time "With Us Is the Lord" as it is enrolled into the Orthodox liturgical repertoire in Russia. It has been 90 years since a liturgical hymn has been added into the church’s official repertoire.

1992

Good Friday prayers are held in Balamand Monastery without any advance notice of Fairuz's attendance. About 600 people were already present and about 1,000 rushed to the area when the news spread.

1993

Fairuz sues Madonna for $2.5 million for plagiarism over the Arab section/sampling in her song "Erotica". The song contains a section of a Christian Great Friday hymn that translates "Today, He is held to a cross" while Madonna repeatedly chants over Fairuz's voice 'All over me'. Upon the song’s release, the Vatican bans Madonna from entering the Vatican and she is banned on its radio stations. The song and its accompanying album are also banned in Lebanon. Sales of the song soar and reach 5 million units and an undisclosed settlement is reached between Fairuz and Madonna.
In Dubai, she cries as she sings Lat5afu Salim Rifyan mish birdan, "Don’t Be Scared, Salim Is Sleeping and Not Feeling Cold" (a song for the martyrs of Lebanon from the Alb3albakiyah musical play).
Good Friday prayers are held at the St. Charbel shrine.
In Bahrain.
Release of another tribute album to Philemon Wahby entitled Fairuz Chante Philemon Wahby Volume 1 ( Part 1 ).

1994

In London Gran Hall Olympia with the London Royal Philarmonic Orchestra on March 12th and 13 th. Arrangements by son Ziad Rahbany.
Release of first album without son Ziad Rahbany, << Fairuz chante : sings Zaki Nassif >> , with music and lyrics by Zaki Nassif himself.
First concert in Lebanon since the end of the war in Martyrs' Square, the separation area between East and West Beirut, to reunite the divided nation. Over 50,000 attend and the event breaks TV ratings as 125 million Arabs watch her via satellite. Millions are said to have cried as a video of the Lebanese war is shown while she sings the song "To Beirut". The King of Saudi Arabia declares, "It was when Fairuz’s voice soared from its heart that we knew Lebanon is finally back." The announcement of the concert is subject to controversy, as it is decided it will take place at Beirut Martyrs' Square, on the very sport of the launching of the Rafik Hariri owned Solidere Real Estate Company's project to rebuild a downtown Beirut destroyed by fifteen years of civil war. Fairuz is accused of supporting Solidere's project and intellectuals sign a petition asking her to cancel her concert out of respect for the death toll and the social, political and economical aftermath of the conflict. Other people oppose the concert notwithstanding their respect for Fairuz because she represents Lebanon, but they claim she must not sing at the expense of a ravaged country. Her son Ziad Rahbany is alleged to have opposed the concert. Fairuz rejects all polemics and refuses to give in to pressure. All she wants is sing for her country. She records a voice message explaining the reasons for her concert she plays before it starts : << I want to sing for my country and do not know what to say ...blackest days will be over however long these last. I who stayed, did not recognise you but did see you and wept so much to myself. But it does not matter what I say, now. There are many children in this world, and there is a young boy playing, his age is twenty, and he is the one who will bring you back, my country >> .

On Friday evening 17 September 1994, a historic concert takes place at Beirut Martyrs' Square under high security, attended by figures of arts and politics.

1995

Release of tribute album << إلى عاصي : Ila 3acy >> - To Assy, a compilation of some of the main musics and songs Fairuz late husband Assy Rahbany composed himself for her and for the Rahbany Brothers' musical plays. The musics are rearranged by Fairuz and 3acy Rahbany's eldest son Ziad Rahbany. Fairuz voice and different chorus' voices are re-recorded anew with differents arrangements as well.
Release of second part of 1993 tribute album to Philemon Wahby entitled Ya Rayeh.

1997

Fairuz is the victim of a conspiracy preventing her from singing the good friday prayers' sacred hymns during a visit of pope John Paul 2nd in Beirut in May 1997.
In Dubai, where she first sings Sallimly 3alyh, "Greet Him for Me".
Jerusalem Award is awarded by the Culture and Arts Committee, Jerusalem.
Baalbeck Festivals refuse to allow Fairuz to perform in a concert organised by both of her brothers in law Mansour and Ilias Rahbany owing to << too high prices >> demanded by the brothers.

1998

In Bahrain.
Return to the Baalbeck International Festival after 25 years absence. Tickets sell out within the first day of sale and well over 16,000 people fill up the three massive stadiums of Baalbeck pillars. It is the first time she sings to her brothers in law since her artistic separation with the Rahbany Brothers : Lawwa7 Mandilak ( wave your handkerchief ) and A5ir Marra Rinnaytillak ( the last time I sang to you ) by Mansour Rahbany; Ma3ak ( with you ) by Ilias Rahbany. Fairuz son Ziad Rahbany, who was to take part in the concert organised by both of his uncles, Mansour Rahbany ( his late father Acy Rahbany's brother and one of the Rahbany Brothers ) and Ilias Rahbany ( the Rahbany Brothers' youngest brother ), as a pianist and arranger of the new songs he had composed for Fairuz and that were to be part of the album Mish Kayn Hayk Tkoun due for release the following year, , left Baalbeck in protest for his uncles' decision to give a play back concert and for asking him to just pretend to play the piano before a shut off microphone and played back recorded music. Fairuz, equipped with a portable microphone fitted close to her mouth did her best to raise her voice so high over the played back recordings during the concert's first night that she hurt her vocal cords. Her brother in law Ilias asked her then to take it easy, but Fairuz protested that she felt she had to be truthful to her audience. Ilias Rahbany was thereafter blamed for the responsibility to organise a concert in play back, but he retorted that the technincality involved in the concert did not allow him to organise a live concert, which did not convince anyone. Journalists started then to spread rumors that Fairuz had lost her voice and that she couldn't sing live anymore, which prompted The New York Times to spread in turn rumors the following year that Fairuz Las Vegas concert in May 1999 was not performed live but just lip sinched, despite Fairuz protests and denials that the 15 May 1999 Garden Arena concert was live.
Release of "Fairuz"—a documentary about her childhood, life with her husband and brothers-in-law and how she became the symbol of a dying nation’s hope.
She receives the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur awarded by French president Jacques Chirac.
In Tunisia for the first time since 1968, where she is received with festivities by a popular dancing troup from the time she gets off the plane at the airport. Fairuz is again accompanied by dancers in her performance.
She receives the Highest Artistic Distinction award by president of Tunisia Ben Ali.

1999

Live concert at the MGM Grand Arena, Las Vegas, on 15 May, declared Fairuz Day by Mayor of Las Vegas in a formal ceremony giving tribute to legendary Fairuz. She is reported to have brought in the biggest crowd since Frank Sinatra. Well over 14,000 people were estimated to be inside the stadium and over 5,000 outside. Fairuz gives interviews to the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. The New York Times spreads rumors and writes that Fairuz concert was a play back, despite Fairuz adamant denials during the interview, and that Fairuz was just lip sinching, adding, along with some of the western people who attended the concert, that it was impossible for Fairuz to have sung live before such a large audience at age 64, with so clear and unstrained voice. Fairuz is nonetheless clearly and distinctly seen and heard pulling off the melody at times during her live performance at her own accord and wish, which would not have been possible in a played back concert. She had clearly instructed her musicians and conductor during rehearsals, as shown in the behind the scenes << Arrab ilmaw3id >> ( Time is upon us / approaching ) documentary, to avoid playing too loudly ( << lazeem takhidha ktyr ni3mee >> : you must play it/take it very softly ) to avoid any competition, strain and tensions between her own voice and the music. This would not have been necessary in a played back concert.
Release of "Arrab al Mowaed" (The Time Is Approaching), a behind-the-scenes documentary of the legend’s record-breaking concert at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. The documentary, filmed and produced by Fairuz daughter Rima Rahbany, who had accompanied her to Las Vegas, shows how Fairuz is rehearsing intensively, directing, controlling, correcting musicians, vocalists and conductor alike. The show was another record-breaking broadcast in the Arab World. The documentary is a response and denial to The New York Times and some of the concert's western attendees' rumors that the Las Vegas live concert was just a play back.
In Geneva in August, where she is invited, along with other international figures of art and culture ( Vanessa May, Geraldine Chaplin and others ... ) to make a delaration at the International Red Cross for the Geneva Conventions' 5O th Anniversary. Fairuz, unlike everybody else who made a declaration, sang instead of giving a talk. She performed a part of Al Ardo Lakoum, an anti war song, she had previously introduced at the United Nations General Assembly Lobby in her second North American tour Legend and Legacy in 1981 for Gibran khalil Gibran's 50 th anniversary. Lyrics are from Gibran Khalil Gibran's poetry Almawakib, music and arrangements by Fairuz son Ziad Rahbany. She said during an interview with Radio Montecarlo that she had always expressed herself in singing, just like at the UN for her country, when Lebanon was ravaged by civil war. Attendees at the Red Cross and Geneva Conventions' 50 TH Anniversary said on hearing Fairuz singing that the Geneva Conventions' Declaration and motto was from then on Fairuz voice.
Release of Mish Kayn Hayk Tkoun album including Ziad Rahbany's music, lyrics and arrangements, as well as Syrian composer Mouhammad Mouhsin's musics to ancient arab poetry. This new album will again be subject to controversy for its unusual music by Ziad Rahbany, and critics start to wonder whether the fact that it includes songs composed by another musician, Mouhammad Mouhsin, is a sign that his monopoly over Fairuz is diminishing. Some even go to the extend of starting ill-intentioned, obscene and very vulgar rumours about the meaning of eponymous song Mish Kayn Hayk Tkoun.
In Jordan in October with a troup of dancers for the last time.
Highest Distinction awarded by King Hussein, Jordan

2000-Present

2000

In Bahrain in April.
Twice at the Beiteddine International Festival. A third performance was added on account of the performances' huge success. Fairuz orchestras are henceforth conducted by Armenian Philarmonic Orchestra Director Karen Durgaryan, who follows her worldwide in all her concerts, up to the year 2007.

2001

Release of Live at Beiteddine 2000 album, with arrangements and mixing by Ziad Rahbany.
At the St. Georgeos Church in Beirut for the Orthodox Great Friday Funeral Ritual.
In Dubai's American University.
In Kuwait.
In Basel Festival ,Switzerland.
In Beiteddine.

2002

Release of Wala Kif album entirely by Ziad Rahbany as main lyricist, arranger and composer. The album includes covers of famous western and eastern songs and hymns rearranged and adapted by Ziad Rahbany, such as Shu Bkhaf ( Manha de Carnaval ), Ya Mariamu ( Ya Mariamu Lbikru ), La wallah ( La Bamba ) , Biyzakkir Bilkharyf 1 & 2 ( les Feuilles Mortes ). This new album is not spared any controversies once more as it is perceived as shocking for being too westernized.
In Dubai's American University where she dedicates the event to the Intifada.
In Paris. Well over 2,000 attend the Pleyel theatre.
In Beiteddine. Fairuz performs for the first time without her son Ziad.

2003

In Jumaira, Dubai in January with son Ziad Rahbany.
In March at the Popular Arts Festival in Addawha, Qatar.
Beiteddine International Festival where she sings new songs.
Third major multi-state US tour since the 1980s, and announcement of a new CD release by 2004 (however, the CD is still not yet released). US ambassador to Lebanon asks to meet Fairuz son , Ziad Rahbany, who was to accompany her in her tour, and enquires about his political opinions and whether he is a communist. Fairuz son categorically refuses to answer him, declines to accompany her on her tour, and refuses an entry visa to the USA.

October 11, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut
October 18, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
October 23, Fox Theatre, Detroit, Michigan

Fairuz blocks the release of "We Loved Each Other so Much" in Lebanon. A documentary made by Dutch director Jack Janssen talks about thin Lebanon times of both economic growth and luxury and fall into bloody chaos when Fairuz’s voice remained the only ray of hope. The movie is screened at several festivals around the world but not inside Lebanon.

2004

Fairuz is at the Church of St. Elias, al Kantari, in Beirut. An Orthodox Great Friday mass is held in the middle-sized Maronite church. Well over 2,000 people crowd the inside and about 3,000 camp outside.
September: First appearance in 2004 at the University Arena in Jordan; the tickets sold out in 1 day and well over 6,500 attended the event.
December 12: Tickets sell out completely for 2 venues in Montreal, Quebec, Canada for February 13 and 14, 2005.

2005

February 12–13: At the 2 biggest venues in Canada, 6,000 attend the first concert and 11,000 the second concert a night later. It was her first concert in Canada in 24 years, since her Legend and Legacy Tour in 1981.
Fairuz records Bayty Zghryr( my little house ), a cover song of << Ma Cabane Au Canada >> composed by Louis ( Loulou ) Gasté ( Originally << Ma cabane au Canada >> composed by Louis Gasté, sung by Line Renaud in 1949), whose lyrics were adapted into Arabic by Fairuz daughter Reema Rahbany. The song << Bayty Zghyr >> was recorded at Piccolo Studios in Montréal on February 9 th 2005, and conducted by Maestro Karen Durgaryan ( fairuz conductor from 2000 to 2007 ). The arrangements are by Steve Sidwell, as it was found out in her Bebalee latest album released in 2017. She also sang Bayty Zghyr in her February 2005 Montréal Place Des Arts concerts.
Fairuz declines to perform the Western Great Friday Funeral Mass due to returned civil unrest in the country that followed the assassination of the former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri a month earlier. The only statement her media office released to the press was "I will not sing to a divided people."
April 5: A Persian Gulf-based business magazine conducts a poll about the Arab World’s most powerful singers and she is at second place with a fortune worth $36.9 million, an artistic archive of plays, concert performances, and photos worth an estimated $20.8 million, and a music back catalog worth an estimated $30 million.
April 29: Fairuz holds the Eastern Orthodox Great Friday Funeral Mass at the Muhaidseh church in the town of [Bikfaya]. Thousands crowd outside the full church. The mass lasts 45 minutes and the crowds cheer loudly for almost 15 minutes. For the third time in the history of the Orthodox Church three more hymns are enrolled into the Russian Orthodox liturgy. "Al Aodiya al’Oula" (The First Valleys), "Al Aodiya al Tasi’aa" (The Nine Valleys), and "Sabbihu al'Rabb" (Bless the Lord).
June 25: Fairuz is awarded an honorary doctorate degree at the American University of Beirut (AUB) during its annual graduation ceremony. It is the first time a vocalist has been awarded such a high honour, usually granted to avant garde scientists, politicians, and laureates.

2006

March 1: Official announcement that Fairuz will be holding two concerts at the Baalbeck International Festival during the summer of 2006.
March 20: Official announcement of Fairuz holding a charity concert at UAE, at the American University of Dubai for the Autism Center. The concert is scheduled for March 30, 2006.
March 30: Fairuz sings in the American University theatre in Dubai. She sang "Zourouni" (Visit Me) for the first time since her Las Vegas concert in 1999. The starring songs of the show are "Aam Yelaabo el Wlad" (The Children Are Playing) which is sung for the first time on a stage, "Ya Rayt" (I Wish) which was last sung in 1960, "Ehkili Ehkili" (Tell Me, Tell Me) which is a Lebanese patriotic song and finally "Hamra Stayhatik" (Your Roofs Are Red) which is one of her late husband's masterpieces during the 1960s and was sung on stage for the first time in 2004.
April: Fairouz releases a video of "Al Massih Kam" (Christ Has Risen) for the Orthodox Good Friday. The video was shot in Batroun Valley. Everyone is dressed in black, she stands on a high rock, surrounded by the choir and musicians scattered across the hill below, with fog surrounding them.
May 18: Fairuz sings in the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The concert consists mainly of oldies.
July: Fairuz is due to sing at the Baalbeck International Festival. She is to perform one of her old plays; "Sahhi Nnawm" ( Wake up), the comic musical play, in a new version written by her son Ziad. She last performed this play more than 30 years ago in both Beirut and Damascus. The show is planned to start on 13 July for 4 days and it will be performed on a special stage between the two Roman temples in Baalbeck.

July 12: a free performance of Sah Ennawm is delivered to Baalbeck's residents.

July 13: Cancellation of the four performances in Baalbeck due to the zionist jewish army's air raids over Lebanon.

August 2: Fairouz donates $750,000 for the aid of the 1.2 million refugees who were left homeless and stranded after the escalation of the war.

December 1–3: Fairuz performs "Sahhi Nnawm" (Wake up) operetta at BIEL's theatre in downtown Beirut, with more than 6,500 people present each night, amid growing political and religious tensions in Lebanon.

2007

February: Fairouz was scheduled to perform on June 30 at the Chateau de Versailles in France. Three days after the announcement the performance is cancelled.

July: Fayrouz broke another record by being the first Lebanese, and artist from the Arab World to perform in Greece, at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, to a sold out venue filled with 9,000 people.

November: Fairouz performs "Sahhi Nnawm" on November 2 November 3 in Amman, Jordan, reorchestrated by Ziad Rahbany.

2008

January: Fairouz performs "Sahhi Nnawm" on January 28 through February 5 for eight consecutive nights at the Opera House in Damascus, Syria. The show was supposed to last for 6 days, 2 days were added to the schedule because of the tremendous demand of the Syrians. The last day was devoted to the youth, only people in the age range of 8 - 26 were allowed in with ticket pricing 1000SL (approximately $11), next day's headlines stated "Fairouz bows longest to the youth and children. The show was very successful despite the controversy storm that Fairouz should not go to perform in Syria, as most politician in Lebanon mdly raved. Her office stated no comment, a message that she still remains above all political and antagonistic sympathies towards any people... Her Bother in law Mansour Rahbany and one of the Rahbany Brothers with her late husband 3acy Rahbany, supported her and defended her decision to perform in Syria by declaring Fairuz had every right to go to Syria, as it played an important part in promoting, supporting and making Fairuz and the Rahbany Brothers and their music, songs and plays successful. He considered they all owed much to Syria. At the same time Mansour Rahbany secretly put pressure on the Damascus Opera House to withdraw their invitation to Fairuz and to prevent her from performing there, on the grounds of violation of copyrights. He instead suggested that his own work be performed in Damascus instead of Fairuz, which was ignored. After Fairuz huge success in the Damascus Opera House, Mansour Rahbany, as an heir to the Rahbany Brothers, files a lawsuit against Fairuz, accusing her of having performed Sahhi Nnawm with no authorisation and disparaging the Rahbany Brothers' heritage, while Fairuz is herself a legitimate widow of Acy Rahbany and thus herself an heireis of half of the Rahbany Brothers' heritage. Mansour Rahbany had himself, after his brother Acy Rahbany and brain of the Rahbany Brothers' passing, previously allowed Fairuz own songs that were written and composed for her by her late husband, to be used in TV commercials (Shatty ya Dinyi that was first sung at the 1960 Damascus International Fair, became a song for a shampoo commercial, and Kani ZZaman from Almahatta musical play, was turned into a song for a soap commercial) without ever prior consent from Fairuz and her children, all legitimate heirs of their husband and father Acy Rahbany and thus of half of the Rahbany Brothers'heritage. Fairuz and her children never complained about such ill use of the Rahbany Brothers' heritage and Fairuz songs, or prosecuted Mansour Rahbany for any violation of any kind whatsoever. After Mansour Rahbany's lawsuit against Fairuz for performing Sahhi Nnawm in Damascus, she claimed that she did ask for Mansour Rahbany's consent prior to her performance of her the play she herself contributed to making famous with her voice and acting back in 1969 and 1970, and that she had with her a signed authorisation by Mansour Rahbany himself that she showed to court. Mansour Rahbany denied having ever allowed Fairuz to perform Sahhi Nnawm in Damascus and that the signature Fairuz showed was not his. After expertise it was eventually established that the signature was actually Mansour Rahbany's very signature indeed, which he could not go on denying anymore. His lawsuit and the case were then dismissed.

March: Fairouz performs in Bahrain on 12, March for a 1800 audience, tickets went on sale in the first week of March, 1700 tickets were sold in 30 minutes after release breaking a new record. The concert was a complete success which consisted of a mix of oldies and new songs, "wata eddowwar" song which was never performed on stage before was the star of the show.

April 25, 2008: After 2 years absence, Fairouz holds the Orthodox Good Friday mass at St Elias Church, Msaytbeh, in Beirut. The event was totally unannounced in advance and Fairouz's sudden, unexpected appearance at the church prompted hundreds of people to flock from all over the capitol the moment news spread. The mass lasted 45 minutes and is said to be one other outstanding Good Friday prayer to add.

June 2008: Fayrouz Live in Dubai 2001 DVD was released. The DVD features Rehearsals from 2001 and 2002 in Dubai. The DVD also features a small performance segment from 1997 Dubai concert and her final exits from 2002 American University of Dubai. Fairuz Brother in law and former Rahbany Brothers team member demands the withrawal of the DVD on the grounds of copyrights' violation again.

Mansour Rahbany makes the 1967 Rahbany Brothers' musical play Hala Wil Malek into a film he presents under his own name, despite the fact that the musical play was, as was always the case form the very beginning of the Rahbany Brothers with musics, songs, plays and arrangements by either or both of Acy and Mansour Rahbany, written and composed under the name of ( BOTH ) the Rahbany Brothers. Mansour Rahbany thus presented the film Silina based on the Rahbany Brothers' musical play Hala Wil Malik in his own name without prior notification and authorisation of Fairuz and her children.

Mansour Rahbany presents the musical play Sayf 840 ( Summer of 840 ) under his own name, which was actually a play, at least co-written and composed, if not entirely by himself ( Mansour Rahbany said himself in an interview that his brother Acy wrote 1977 Petra musical play in three days after a visit to Jordan ), by his own late Brother Acy Rahbany under the name 3ammiyat Antelias ( the people of Antelias ). He did so with no prior consent or authorisation from Fairuz and her children whatsoever.

2009

Fairuz brother in law Mansour Rahbany, one of the Rahbany Brothers, with his late elder Brother Acy Rahbany who was the brain and founder of the Rahbany Brothers, dies in january. Fairuz had no hard feelings against him and kept inquiring about his health throughout his illness, which Mansour Rahbany's sons refused to answer and did their best from preventing her to do so. When Mansour died Fairuz and her children did attend his funeral and Fairuz in particular did attend with her inlaws the funeral night prior to his burial, but when newspapers asked Mansour's sons whether Fairuz was at their father funeral, they answered that she had not, but that they did not mind, since they knew Fairuz was a busy person.
May 2009: Fairouz performs "Sahhi Nnawm" on May 2 May 6 in Sharjah UAE. All shows were sold out. On learning that Fairuz was to perform Sahhi Nnawm in UAE, Mansour Rahbany's three sons Marwan ,Ousama and Rady succeeded in issuing an arrest warrant in Ashshariqah to prevent Fairuz from performing as scheduled, without any prior warning or notification. When the mayor of Ashshariqah learned what had happaned and that Fairuz risqued to be arrested, he prevented the enforcement of the warrant and escorted Fairuz and her troup under his own protection throughout their stay in UAE from the moment they got off the plane at the airport till they got back on the plane en route to Lebanon after the play was performed.
April 3, 2009: Ziad Rahbani, Fairouz's son, files a lawsuit with the Lebanese civil supreme court denying his fatherhood to Assi Rahbani Jr., aged 25, asking he be stripped of the famous Rahbani family name, and be dropped off all legal records relating to the family.

2010

Fairuz was scheduled to perform Ya"ish Ya"ish 1970 Rahbany Brothers play at the Casino du Liban, in summer. Mansour Rahbany's three sons succeed in treathening and putting pressure on the venue to cancel Fairuz scheduled performance. Casino du Liban is instead compelled to accept a presentation and perfomance of Sayf 840 musical play by Mansour Rahbany's sons, which is actually the musical play by the Rahbany Brothers originally entitled 3ammiyat Antelias ( the poeple of Antelias ), which Mansour Rahbany had previously renamed Sayf 840 ( summer of 840 ) after his brother Acy Rahbany's passing, with whom he was part of the Rahbany Brothers, and prior to his own death. Fairuz reacts by prosecuting both Casino Du Liban for cancelling her scheduled performance ( a case she eventually succeed in winning ) and Mansour Rahbany's three sons.
Mansour Rahbany's sons succeed in issuing a court order in Lebanon forbidding her to perform any of her songs written and composed by the Rahbany Brothers. Demonstrations result in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Egypt to support Fairuz and demanding the cancellation of the court ruling. Mansour Rahbany's sons deny ever trying to prevent Fairuz from singing her songs, that hey do love her, but that it was her who sued them. They declare in interviews and TV programmes about the controversed ruling that they feel that when she performs the Rahbany Brothers' songs and plays she deprives them of their right to royalties. They add that an artist is not allowed to perform a song before seventy years after the composer's death : actually, a singer can perform a song ( without authorisation ) only fifty years after it was released. Reema Rahbany, Fairuz daughter who woks for her since 1989, declares that it was unprecedented that a singer had to pay off a composer and pay him royalties. It is not for the singer to do so, but the producer of the concert, not the singer himself directly, and not directly to the composer himself, but to SACEM. Besides, she adds, Fairuz had always respected and paid for copyrights, as was proven by the invoices she kept handy just in case. Reema Rahbany added that Fairuz was actually the owner of half of the rights of the Rahbany Brothers' works ( as a legitimate widow and thus heiress ), and finally reminded all that Mansour Rahbany had renounced his rights to SACEM in the 1960s, and further more wondered why SACEM kept silent throughout the lawsuits and controversies, and emphasised that mansour Rahbany had made the 1967 Rahbany Brothers' musical play Hala Wil Malik into a film without their ( Fairuz and her children as heirs to their own late father Acy Rahbany, Fairuz husband, and thus to the Rahbany Brothers'heritage ) consent. Mansour Rahbany's sons kept complaining that Fairuz was disparaging the Rahbany Brothers' heritage by performaing songs and plays by the Rahbany Brothers without their own consent. They consider they remain the only ones entitled to the rights to the Rahbany Brothers' musics, songs and plays now their father, ( the only heir to the Rahbany Brothers as far as he was concerned himself since his brother Acy Rahbany's death, and as far as they are concerned themselves since their own father's passing ), is dead. They diminish Fairuz role and part in the Rahbany Brothers' works and sometimes dismiss her as Mrs Nouhad HADDAD. They complain that their right to copyright and the royalties they demand is natural and accuse Fairuz of making a simple and clear issue bigger and turning it into what it is actually not.
Release of long awaited Eh Fi Amal album produced this time by Fairuz own company Fairouz Productions.
Two concerts in October at BIEL in Beirut attended by Lebanese and other Arab figures of Arts, culture and politics after the end of the controversies and lawsuits started by Mansour Rahbany's children. Rumors that Fairuz will not sing songs by the Rahbany Brothers and that tickets for the concerts are no longer available are propagated at the announcement of the performances.

2011

In Amsterdam Royal Carre in June.
Last live concert appearance on stage in Sa7it Alma Platea – Jounieh – Harer Sakher in December 2011, where she had 6 concerts extending from December 9 to 23.

2014

Reema Rahbany releases a video of AVE MARIA performed by Fairuz in memory of her late husband on 21 June for his 28th anniversary, with Arab lyrics by Acy Rahbany.
Reema Rahbany eventually comes to right a wrong about her late father's memory and Fairuz husband Acy Rahbany. The Lebanese Ministry of culture aknowledged the important part played by the Rahbany Brothers in Lebanon's cultural heritage, by mentioning Mansour Rahbany alone along with the Rahbany Brothers, at the initiative of Mansour Rahbany's sons, deliberatingly omitting his brother Acy Rahbany's name. Reema Rahbany insisted on the importance of mentioning both of Acy Rahbany and Mansour Rahbany's name when it came to the Rahbany Brothers, exactly as Acy Rahbany had insisted in his lifetime that the Rahbany Brothers was made up of BOTH Acy and Mansour Rahbany, and that any work by either of the brothers was signed under the Rahbany Brothers form their very beginning. As far as Reema Rahbany is considered, it is thus wrong and prejudicial to Acy Rahbany's memory to mention Mansour Rahbany's name alone along the Rahbany Brothers as a tribute to Mansour Rahbany, without ever deniying Mansour's contribution to the Rahbany Brothers' heritage. As a matter of fact, Fairuz herself said in an interview in Mansour Rahbany's lifetime that he was one the most sensitive Arab poets and that among the most beautiful songs she had sung were songs by Mansour Rahbany himself. Reema Rahbany thus emphasises the importance of mentioning Mansour Rahbany's name alone to pay him tribue, but far and beyond the Rahbany brothers. The Rahbany Brothers must be mentioned and given tribute to alone by mention of the Rahbany Brothers alone, period. If anyone wished to mention their names along with that of the Rahbany Brothers, it must be those of BOTH Acy and Mansour along with the Rahbany Borhters, but not just that of Mansour alone along with that of the Rahbany Brothers, as the Lebanese Ministry of culture wrongfully and intentionally had done so far.

2015

Release of two Good Friday prayers' videos after two years, Ifrahy ya Bayta 3anya in Classical Arabic, and a Coptic hymn in a Coptic monastery sung in Egyptian Arabic.
Release of a brief Happy New Year wishes' video teaser on December 31th of a Fairuz lighting candles in her home and smiling to the camera. Background voice is that of what was to be later on the introduction to the first song from her upcoming Bebalee new Album released in 2017.

2017

April 17: Instead of holding prayers at a church like every year, a video is released to all major media outlets and TV channels featuring Fairouz, alone in an ancient monastery chanting the Good Friday prayers Fy Malakutika ( in your kingdom ). The video is unique for its exquisite content, the ancient church with its walls of religious murals and iconography, and the Eastern Orthodox liturgy chanted by Fairouz with her breathtaking voice.
Reema Rahbany releases a teaser video of Fairuz recording Lamyn ( To whom : original song << Pour qui veille l'étoile >> by Gilbert BECAUD ) in a studio, in memory of Acy Rahbany for his 31st anniversary on June 21st. A caption on the video announces the forthcoming release of a Fairuz new album on September 22nd 2017. Media and fans react positively with surprise and hope, especially as 81 years old Fairuz voice is as clear and flawless as in the old days.
Other teasers follow several weeks apart in July of Fairuz recording Yimkin ( perhaps ), a cover song of John Lenon's Imagine, and then of Ana Wiyyak ( You and I ), a cover song of Besame Mucho, and then of rehearsals and works on Fairuz new album in studio with Reema Rahbany. Media, fans, other Lebanese singers and people in general's reactions are more mitigated, as it is the case with Yimkin, which some people do not like at all. They find Fairuz singing << Imagine >> in Arabic a bad performance.
Release of Bebalee Album as scheduled on September 22nd online, and then in October in CD and vinyl. 10 tracks Bebalee is produced by Fairuz daughter Reema Rahbany, who also helped co-produce the Lebanese singing icon's last album Bebalee, a collection of covers of songs that inspired Fairouz throughout her impressive career that now spans SEVEN decades. Bebalee album's lyrics are by Reema Rahbany, arrangements by Steve Sidwell. General reaction by most media, fans, people and other singers is this time of disappointment with the fact in the first place that the album was not made with Ziad Rahbany, whereas Fairuz albums with her son shocked and were thus attacked from the very first and juged of being no match to the quality and authenticity of those made with the Rahbany Brothers. Then reactions of shock followed suit on finding out Bebalee is but a collection of covers of well known western songs. Harshest of criticisms started, Fairuz voice was then found tired and aging, the album was trashed by media for bringing and being actually nothing new, fans and no fans, and even by some Lebanese singers. Even Steve Sidwell's arrangements were pointed at and criticised. All accused Reema Rahbany of pulling Fairuz down way below her level, with lyrics they found meaningless, unimaginative and uncreative, and just literal ( Google for some ) translations into Arabic, even though Fairuz had long since said that she had read Reema's poetry and would like to sing it some time. Though this was not the first time Fairuz sang western songs adapted into Arabic, without that much negative reaction, even in Ziad Rahbany's albums, and though her new album was not the first without Ziad Rahbany's collaboration ever since her separation with the Rahbany Brothers, Bebalee is thought to be of a low quality and a bad way to end Fairuz carrer ( so it had been decided by critics : Fairuz carreer was ending and she deserved someone better than Reema Rahbany, a genuine professional, to produce her last album ) and is attacked on all fronts, especially as Ziad Rahbany had no part in the album, not for the lyrics, not even for the arrangements. Fairuz official website is attacked and pirated, Lamyn song is pirated as well and its rhythm and speed are altered. Media further ignites fires of attacks and outrage by emphasising how Reema released the teasers to show how from now on she is the one who is working with Fairuz on the studio instead of her brother Ziad whom she evicted and set aside. The media further turned any reaction, comment or response from Reema Rahbany to attacks against her into << fierce attacks >> by Reema Rahbany herself.

2018

Reema Rahbany releases Lbaddou Iysyr Biysyr by Fairuz, original song << que sera sera >> by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, on Mother Day as a present for her mother. The video shows Fairuz recording the song at Angels Sudios in London In 2016, pages from Bebalee album booklet, photographs of shots of Fairuz for her latest album, of her and her husband Acy Rahbany and their children and their artistic and family life, and of Fairuz parents as well. Reema Rahbany explained that the song << Lbaddu Iysyr Biysyr >> was intended to be part of Fairuz Bebalee album ( as track 6 ), but it was decided it would not be included since the authorisation to release the song was granted too late to be part of the album that was commited to be released on September 22nd 2017. Reema also pays tribute in the end of the video to her maternal granparents and her nanny.
Following US president's daughter inauguration of US embassy in Jerusalem in May, despite oposition and reservations of many Arab and European countries, Fairuz releases the following day a good friday prayer video dedicated to the Palestinian resistance to the zionist jewish occupation of Palestine, showing excerpts of Palestinians demonstrating before the zionist jewish army and protesting the wall isolating them and separating them from the rest of their own country.

2019

Ziad Rahbany, who had made no comment up until then on Fairuz latest album Bebalee, said in an interview prior to his western European tour scheduled in March 2019 that Fairuz had not made a good album, and that she had not asked for his opinion. He further commented that Reema Rahbany had made a bad album of 9 songs with Fairuz either out of ignorance or ill intention. Reema Rahbany made no comments on her brother's opinion and declarations. She supported his tour by joining him in Amsterdam, then Berlin and Paris.