• Mohamed Ramadan, considered the most famous and popular actor today in the Arab world, at the Palazzo Versace hotel in Dubai on July 8, 2021.
    Mohamed Ramadan, considered the most famous and popular actor today in the Arab world, at the Palazzo Versace hotel in Dubai on July 8, 2021.
  • Mohamed Ramadan's new music video ‘Versace Baby’ is shot in Dubai.
    Mohamed Ramadan's new music video ‘Versace Baby’ is shot in Dubai.
  • The singer's music video ‘Versace Baby’ was shot in Dubai
    The singer's music video ‘Versace Baby’ was shot in Dubai
  • Ramadan performs at a concert in Egypt on August 23, 2019.
    Ramadan performs at a concert in Egypt on August 23, 2019.
  • Ramadan launches his single 'Ya Habibi' in Dubai.
    Ramadan launches his single 'Ya Habibi' in Dubai.
  • The red carpet closing ceremony of the 7th Dubai International Film Festival, on December 19, 2010.
    The red carpet closing ceremony of the 7th Dubai International Film Festival, on December 19, 2010.
  • Ramadan poses for photographers after the Alexandria 25 Film Festival on August 10, 2009.
    Ramadan poses for photographers after the Alexandria 25 Film Festival on August 10, 2009.
  • The third Gouna Film Festival, in Egypt, on September 19, 2019.
    The third Gouna Film Festival, in Egypt, on September 19, 2019.
  • Ramadan poses for photographs with his honorary award during a New Year party held at El Shorta club in Cairo, on December 28, 2009.
    Ramadan poses for photographs with his honorary award during a New Year party held at El Shorta club in Cairo, on December 28, 2009.
  • Egyptian singer Mohamed Ramadan performs at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards in Lagos on November 24, 2019.
    Egyptian singer Mohamed Ramadan performs at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards in Lagos on November 24, 2019.
  • Egyptian director Saeed Hamid, actors Omar Sharif and Ramadan pose for photographs during a press conference in Cairo for the film 'Al Tareek Ela Darfour', on December 5, 2009.
    Egyptian director Saeed Hamid, actors Omar Sharif and Ramadan pose for photographs during a press conference in Cairo for the film 'Al Tareek Ela Darfour', on December 5, 2009.
  • The opening ceremony of the 40th Cairo International Film Festival on November 20, 2018.
    The opening ceremony of the 40th Cairo International Film Festival on November 20, 2018.
  • A concert performed at a resort in the North Coast, Egypt, on August 23, 2019.
    A concert performed at a resort in the North Coast, Egypt, on August 23, 2019.
  • Ramadan became the first playable Arab character in Garena's 'Free Fire' mobile game.
    Ramadan became the first playable Arab character in Garena's 'Free Fire' mobile game.
  • A preview shot of Ramadan's character, Maro, in 'Free Fire'.
    A preview shot of Ramadan's character, Maro, in 'Free Fire'.
  • A scene from the series 'Moussa'.
    A scene from the series 'Moussa'.
  • Ramadan's image is projected on to a screen in Times Square, New York.
    Ramadan's image is projected on to a screen in Times Square, New York.
  • A scene from the 2020 drama 'El Prince'.
    A scene from the 2020 drama 'El Prince'.

Egyptian star Mohamed Ramadan announces new film ‘Number One’


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

Mohamed Ramadan is set to return to the big screen.

The Egyptian actor and singer made the announcement on his social media channel by uploading footage of himself wearing a fur coat and sunglasses on a video shoot.

Ramadan revealed that production has begun on the film, named after his 2018 hit song.

"We have started working on my next movie, Number One, written by Ahmed Adel, directed by Yasser Samy, produced by Youssef Al-Taher," he said. "Cinemas in Egypt and the Arab world are preparing a reception worthy of my audience."

The film is reportedly an action comedy with Ramadan playing the role of a martial artist. The star will also contribute to the soundtrack. With no release date mentioned, the film could hit regional cinemas during the Eid Al Fitr holidays next April, when the Egyptian film industry traditionally releases blockbuster films.

It will be interesting to see if Ramadan can translate his growing popularity on television and music streaming platforms to movie theatres.

Since his last film, 2019’s El Kenz 2: Al-Hobb wa Al Maseer (The Treasure 2: Love and Destiny), which is available on Netflix, Ramadan doubled down on his television work and appeared in back-to-back hit dramas including 2019's Zelzal, 2020's Al Prince and this year's El Meshwar.

At the same time, he has rapidly expanded his fan base by releasing more songs complete with zany music videos, some of which went viral across the region. These include 2020's Corona Virus, a catchy public safety message in light of the spread of Covid-19.

In line with Ramadan's style, the rap and sung lyrics of the single — written by El Power El Aali and Bldozer — are full of vibrant Egyptian colloquialisms and scatting.

"I am the prince, I am the gentleman," the chorus goes. "A mask I wear and gloves as well. I say hello from afar and with no hugs. Coronavirus — that way I am safe."

The following year, Ramadan landed another hit with Versace Baby.

With a video shot primarily at the Palazzo Versace Dubai hotel, the track is an ode to extravagance as Ramadan declares: "Spend money, make it rain... Work out until we feel the pain. Then we party. We don't care. Every day, re-do the same.”

In a previous interview with The National, Ramadan said his diverse career is driven by a desire to be “number one.”

“I am not saying that I am number one, but that is what I work very hard to be," he said. "It's about encouraging you to be the best that you can be.”

The Book of Collateral Damage

Sinan Antoon

(Yale University Press)

How to increase your savings
  • Have a plan for your savings.
  • Decide on your emergency fund target and once that's achieved, assign your savings to another financial goal such as saving for a house or investing for retirement.
  • Decide on a financial goal that is important to you and put your savings to work for you.
  • It's important to have a purpose for your savings as it helps to keep you motivated to continue while also reducing the temptation to spend your savings. 

- Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

 

 

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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Updated: May 19, 2022, 8:30 AM