Tracing the influences of artists in the Libyan music industry, I continue this series, highlighting notable Libyan musicians. In this article, I would like to showcase a unique female voice that has left a lasting impression with her mesmerizing talent; Fatima Ahmed. A while ago, I was listening to her famous song ‘Ya Ez Erefaga’ (Translation: The best of Companions).

In that moment, I wondered why I hadn’t written an article about female musicians and artists in Libya. In this article, I attempt to honor Libyan artists like Fatima Ahmed and others who have shaped Libya’s musical scene with their talent and authenticity. Artists like Fatima Ahmed and many others deserve to be well remembered through generations to come. 

Born in 1962, Fatima graduated from the Ali Al-Sha’ala Institute of Music in Benghazi in the late 1970s. In the early 1980s, she collaborated with fellow artist Salmeen Al-Zarrouq, producing several songs until the early 1990s. Unfortunately, due to health issues, she paused her singing career but later returned alongside the late, great artist Mohamed Hassan. Fatima Ahmed worked in education as a music teacher, teaching at schools in Benghazi, Libya. She also had experience in drama during her artistic career. She acted in the famous series “The Orphan”, which was watched by Libyan viewers in the 1980s.‎