The Role of Radio and Umm Kulthum’s Voice in Spreading Nasserite Arab Nationalism

Abstract

After capturing power through a coup, Gamal Abdel Nasser embraced socialist-leaning components of Arab nationalism. Nasser needed strong political propaganda weapons to spread Arab nationalism across international borders. Nasser utilized and invested in radio and music as the most efficient propaganda weapons of the day to promote his philosophy. Umm Kulthum’s voice was at the top of singers whose voices were employed within the framework of serving Nasser’s Arab nationalism project. This paper explores the role of Umm Kulthum's voice and the voice of Arabs radio as propaganda tools in spreading Nasser's Arab nationalism during the 1950s and 1960s. The paper deals with aspects of Umm Kulthum's role in spreading the foundations of Arab Nasserite nationalism through five axes: first, soft power as a tool for spreading political values and establishing a common identity; second, Nasser's nationalism and radio broadcasts; third, the radio as a political propaganda tool in favor of Nasser, fourth, Umm Kulthum as a tool for spreading Nasserite Arab nationalism, and fifth, the impact of Umm Kulthum's voice on the spread of Nasserite nationalism in the Arab world.