Nadine Labaki - successful female film directors and actresses from the Arab world

One of the most successful female film directors and actresses from the Arab world, Nadine Labaki continues to make and star in top feature films.

After 2013 smash hit Rock The Casbah, Labaki had a busy 2014, appearing in three films - Mea Culpa, Rio, I Love You, and La Rancon de la Gloire. Perhaps still best known for her directorial debut, Caramel, which she also starred in, Labaki is a known name within the global film industry, having been listed on Variety’s annual run-down of ten directors to watch.

Nancy Ajram - Lebanese woman who is one of Arabic music’s biggest stars

One of the most recognisable names and faces in the Middle East, Nancy Ajram is one of Arabic music’s biggest stars.

The Lebanese singer boasts more than five million Twitter followers, built on the back of eight hit albums - the most recent of which, Nancy 8, was released during 2014. A regular award winner and live performer, Ajram has put her fame to good use, participating in numerous charity events and concerts. In 2009 UNICEF chose Ajram as the first female regional ambassador for MENA. Her appeal and recognition is not confined to the Arab world, however. Oprah Winfrey branded her one of the most influential personalities in the Middle East.

Fairouz - Lebanese woman who is a popular singer for decades

Perhaps still the most iconic Middle Eastern female singer, Fairouz has been one of the region’s best known and popular singer for decades.

Starting her musical career in the 1950s, the ‘Jewel of Lebanon’ enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top, singing about her home country’s beauty, and calling for peace and freedom.

Often received by royalty and presidents, one of Fairouz’s most prized posessions in the key to Jerusalem, though she has never performed in the Holy City.

Yousra - Egyptian woman who establish herself in entertainment industry

The irrepressible entertainment superstar continues to be a well listened-to cultural spokeswoman, have acquired ‘icon’ status long ago.

The Egyptian actress and singer, whose career goes back to the 1970s, has turned her talents to a variety of genres, including comedy, drama, and political satire. In 2006 she played a supporting role in The Yacoubian Building, which is believed to have had the highest budget of any Egyptian production to date. Yousra’s singing career came later, with her first album being released in 2002. More recently, she participated in the Ramadan series Saraya Abdein in 2014. The entertainer has also worked as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, for which she is believed to have received more than 50 awards.

Hayv Kahraman - Iraqi woman who excel in oil paintings

Living and working in the US, Hayv Kahraman’s artwork reflects issues of gender, honour killings and war in her home country of Iraq.

Born in Baghdad in 1981, the artist has painted, drawn and sculpted from a young age. She began oil painting at the age of 12 after moving from Iraq to Sweden, and later staged a number of successful exhibitions there.

Developing a style with references to Japanese and Arabic calligraphy, art nouveau, Persian miniature, and Greek iconography, Kahraman now lives and works in San Francisco, and has had numerous solo and group exhibitions around the world over the past 12 years.

In November 2014 she was recognised by the Global Thinkers Forum for Excellence in Cultural Creativity.

Ahlam - Emirati woman who proved herself in arts and entertainment

The Emirati singing star is as popular as ever, largely thanks to her judging role on talent show Arab Idol - popularity that is backed up by 4.46 million followers on Twitter.

The musician, who has 10 albums under her belt since launching her career in 1994, was born in Abu Dhabi to Bahraini and Emirati parents, and actually lived the early part of her life in Bahrain before returning to the UAE to finish her education.

Ahlam Ali Al Shamsi - to give her her full name - recently switched record labels, signing with new label Platinum Records earlier this year. Platinum Records is owned by Saudi artist Rashid Al Majid, in partnership with television channel MBC, which screens Arab Idol. She had previously been with Rotana Production Company.