Kathem Jabbar Ibrahim Al Samarrai, known as Kathem Al Saher, ( Arabic: ???? ?????? ), sometimes Kadim Al Sahir, (born September 12 1961), is a famous Arab pop singer, songwriter, and musician. Kathem has established himself as one of the most successful singers in the Arab World, having sold more than 30 million albums since the start of his career. Ranging from big romantic ballads to more political work, from pop to Arab classical, he has covered the spectrum of music with the kind of success not seen since the heyday of Umm Kalthum. He is the son of a palace worker and has nine siblings. Biography Early life His interest in music grew as he listened to songs via the radio that offered him the chance to become familiar with the works of composers such as Mohammed Abdel Wahab by hearing them. When he was ten, he sold his bicycle to buy a guitar and two years later, he began writing songs.