Awatef Abdel Karim

Awatef Abdel Karim (; born February 8, 1931) is an Egyptian composer of contemporary classical music. Karim is the first Egyptian female composer to formally study music composition. She has composed for piano, violin, choir, and orchestra, and has also written music for children. In 1991, she succeeded Gamal Abdel-Rahim as chairman of the composition and conducting department of the Cairo Conservatoire, serving in that position until 1997. A revised edition of her book, "Music Appreciation of Nineteenth Century Music" was published in 2005 in Cairo. She was awarded the State Merit Award in June 2006. Her notable students include Ahmed El-Saedi, Ali Osman, and Mohamed Abdelwahab Abdelfattah.