When Madiha was sixteen years old, she went to Egypt. Her first job was in the Continental Hotel, which had many dancers. After her first week, Madiha was performing just before the finale, Hoda Shamsadeen. During her tour in Egypt, she worked at many other clubs including Sahara City by the pyramids. Madiha had become a star.
But there's more to being a star than just being the best dancer. Madiha likes to tell of the time when she was dancing at the Casino Abdeem in Egypt. At this point in her career, Madiha took less pay so that she would not have to sit and drink with customers unless they were families of her choice. One night Tahia Carioca, whom Madiha calls the Mother of the Dance, was in the audience with a man who had tried to get Madiha to join him on several occasions , but was always refused. But Madiha could not refuse to join Tahia, who asked, "Why don't you sit with my friend? You think you are a star?" When Madiha replied that this was so, Tahia Carioca offered her this advice,"If you know how to respect yourself, you will act like a lady and will be treated as such." From that time, Madiha realized that a dancer can protect herself by her own behavior.
When her stay in Egypt ended, Madiha went on a tour that took her to Pakistan, India, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, Cololampore, Singapore, and finally to Damascus. By the time the tour had ended, Madiha was twenty-one years old, and her family accepted and respected her as an established artist.
Madiha wanted to come to America and was offered a concert tour with Dalal Sharnali. They toured various Arabic communities and ended with the Brass Rail, an American night club in Detroit. She toured the Midwest but decided to return to Detroit, which has the largest Arab population outside of the Middle East. There she worked at the original Cedars Club, the Greek club 1001 Nights, and the famous Mitch Housey's.
While in America, Princess Madiha fell in love and married. She danced until her son was two years old, and then decided that family life was too important and would require all her time and energy. After ten years in retirement, Madiha decided to teach others the art she had learned during her travels.
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Last modified: November 26, 2000