The family of legendary Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafez has once again challenged an event in Morocco, this time over a tribute concert promoted using the late artist’s name. The dispute is the latest in a series of confrontations between the singer’s relatives and Moroccan event organizers.
Over the past several years, major Moroccan events associated with Abdel Halim Hafez have repeatedly prompted objections, public statements, or threats of legal action from members of his family.
One of the most prominent disputes emerged in 2025 when the Mawazine Festival announced a hologram concert featuring a digital recreation of the iconic singer.
Abdel Halim Hafez, who died in 1977, remains one of the most influential figures in Arabic music. Festival organizers promoted the performance as an opportunity for audiences to experience a virtual recreation of the artist on stage decades after his death.
The announcement was met with immediate opposition from the singer’s family. In a public statement, relatives said they had not been informed of the project and had not granted authorization for the use of Abdel Halim Hafez’s name, image, voice, or artistic works.
Family members said they learned about the event through media coverage and promotional materials rather than direct communication from organizers.
The disagreement quickly evolved into a broader debate over who controls the rights associated with the singer’s legacy.
The family maintains that any use of Abdel Halim Hafez’s image, likeness, or artistic identity requires the approval of his heirs. Organizers, however, argued that they had secured the necessary legal permissions through agreements with parties they said held exploitation rights to portions of the singer’s catalog.
Mohamed Shabana, the artist’s nephew, rejected those claims and said the family would pursue legal action to protect Abdel Halim Hafez’s rights and preserve his reputation.
The controversy continued even after the hologram performance took place in Rabat. Family members criticized the digital recreation, describing it as damaging to the singer’s image and inconsistent with how they believe his legacy should be presented.
According to reports in Egyptian and Moroccan media, the family subsequently considered additional legal measures related to the event.
The relatives’ position has remained largely unchanged throughout similar disputes. They argue that any commercial use of Abdel Halim Hafez’s name, image, voice, or artistic identity should only take place with their explicit authorization. Whenever they believe those rights have been used without consent, they have publicly objected and, in some cases, threatened legal action.
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