Founder of the first Egyptian cabaret - the Opera Casino - in 1926, Badia is credited for changing Raqs Sharki forever. She was Lebanese though she moved to Egypt early in the 20th century, making her way to Cairo where she was an actress/dancer.

A more indepth profile of Badia Masabni can be found here:

http://www.belly-dance.org/badia-masabni.html