Egyptian songwriter Mohamed Atef defended singer Ramy Sabry on Monday 12 October 2026, amid circulating accusations linking actions attributed to Sabry to the mental state of music arranger Tarek Tawkel before his death, stressing that the two continued working together through the singer’s latest album.
Mohamed Atef gives a defence statement for Ramy Sabry
Atef took this position before entering hospital for open-heart surgery. In a post on his Facebook account, he said he wanted to give a “true testimony” about Ramy Sabry, describing him as one of the purest, most chivalrous and most generous people he had dealt with. Atef added that Tarek Tawkel continued working with Sabry through his latest album, explaining that one of the projects they worked on together included a song written by Atef himself.
He stressed that death is tied to people’s destined lifespans, saying that everyone is a guest in this world. The songwriter criticised accusations claiming that Sabry had caused Tawkel’s death after refusing to lend him money, blocking him and preventing him from contacting him. He urged those sharing this account to stop and to show consideration for the dead and the living, saying: “Fear God, have mercy on the dead and the living.”
Tarek Tawkel’s friend recounts his recent troubles
Atef rejected the picture painted by the accusations of both men, stressing that Tarek Tawkel was not an intrusive person who pursued others for money, and that Ramy Sabry’s character was inconsistent with the actions attributed to him in the circulating accounts. Tarek Ghattas, a friend of the late arranger, had spoken about the final period of Tawkel’s life, saying he was shocked by the deterioration in his condition when he visited him.
He added that his friend was going through severe financial difficulties while a member of his family was ill, and that he had put Ramy Sabry at the top of his priorities because of the friendship they had formed during their days working in the choir. According to Ghattas’s account, Tawkel tried to contact Sabry during that period but received no reply, and was also psychologically affected by the singer working with other arrangers on some of his songs.
He said these circumstances added to the pressures faced by the deceased, expressing his dismay at what he described as Tawkel being ignored during his difficulties. Ramy Sabry did not comment directly on the accusations. On the day of Tawkel’s death, he had mourned him in words describing him as the companion of his life, artistic career and musical project, and recalled their shared memories, saying that the arranger’s departure had ended a large part of those memories.
Tarek Tawkel’s death and funeral arrangements
Tarek Tawkel died on Friday 9 October 2026 at the age of 48. Composer Nader Nour said the death was natural and that Tawkel had died at home surrounded by his children, referring to the friendship and memories they had shared over the years.
Tawkel’s funeral took place after Friday prayers at al-Rahman Mosque in the Officers’ Housing area of al-Ramayeh, before he was buried in the family cemetery on the Suez Road. The condolence gathering was held on the evening of Monday 12 October at the Police Mosque in Sheikh Zayed after Maghrib prayers, attended by Ramy Sabry and several of the deceased’s colleagues.
Tarek Tawkel worked with Ramy Sabry on dozens of musical projects throughout his career, including the songs “Yemken Kheir”, “Kelma”, “W Bahbak”, “Lamma Beyouhashny” and “Get Salima”, as well as work he produced with a number of singers, including Assala Nasri, Elissa, Amer Mounib, Samo Zaen and Louay.
