While maintaining a separate identity, Jews were noted contributors to Arabic culture in literature, poetry and music. Ya'qub Bilbul was a pioneer of the Iraqi novel and short story. Togo Mizrahi was a renowned Egyptian director, actor, producer, screenwriter. Saleh al-Kuwaity is considered by many to be the father of modern Iraqi music, and Dawood Hosni wrote the first Arabic operetta.
Cheikh El Afrite - Jewish singer, poet, author and composer. Tunis, 1884From the collection of Beit HatfutsotJewish fiddler, Tunis 1920From the collection of Beit Hatfutsot