Today Madiha still lives in the suburban Detroit area. She teaches dance to a select group of serious students, many of whom work in Detroit's Greek and Arabic nightclubs. She teaches each dancer the different styles and techniques she learned from working with the top dancers in the Middle East, including Tahia Carioca, Samia Gamal, Sohair Zaki and Nagwa Fouad. In addition, she also teaches her own unique style and steps. Madiha has also produced a teaching video, called "Belly Dancing with Princess Madiha," for beginning students.
Madiha believes the dancer to be the expression of all the instruments. "Dancers must realize the melody, syncopation and words of melody. The music speaks to each person in many ways, and you can pick and choose each time what you want to express. Your feeling inside must be happy. You must like yourself. The feelings for dancing come from inside you. It is not necessary that you be born of the culture, only that you pay attention and listen. Find someone who is qualified to help you listen, think and interpret. Feelings take years to develop. No one is a 'Born Dancer.' I want people to respect this dance like ballet. It is an art. Even if a few are making it look cheap, many more are raising it to a higher level." Madiha points out that even as other dance forms change and evolve, so must Middle Eastern dance. Many Arabic bands have added Western instruments such as the guitar, keyboard, and saxophones. This changes the tone and character of Arabic music while retaining its form, technique and integrity.
In closing, Princess Madiha said that if she had to do it all over again, she wouldn't change anything. She has no regrets. God has been very good to her both with her career and her beautiful family.
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Last modified: November 26, 2000