Music is a universal language that unites all people under one umbrella, the umbrella of university, socialization and peace. As Palestinian, music plays an important role in our culture; music is not only a form of rest or joy, but also resistance. Palestinians uses their tradition and culture and impede it within the music and songs. Sabreen for example is a well known Palestinian musical group that was formed in Jerusalem 30 plus years ago. Sabreen as a name means “to stay patient”, meaning that we as Palestinian will stay patient regarding every oppression and injustice that we have been through.
The Jerusalem Music Center is a center to provide the excellence of music and talents within the Israeli community and society. The Heartbeat – Jerusalem project is another kind of projects that have Palestinians and Israeli youth involved. The idea behind the project is to empower both side’s youth to hear and understand each other. I personally is a bit conservative regarding such projects and programs that involve Palestinians and Israelis under the name of music. I will not give my opinion regarding because I am not sure of who is behind such ideas.
Hip hop on the other side is another form of music. In Palestine Hip Hop is increasing and growing, but most of the Hip Hop singers from Palestine write and sing their songs about Palestine, the culture, the conflict and daily stories under occupation. We can see how music in Palestine is imbedded within the conflict and the beliefs that we as Palestinian youth have and were raised upon.
Regarding the Oud Festival, Link 1 – Confederation House, under the Who We Are, it says how Jerusalem is populated by people from different backgrounds and religions, ignoring the fact that there are Christians in Jerusalem as well, they were enough by saying “ver 100 ethnic groups and communities live side by side in Jerusalem: Jews and Muslims, secular and orthodox, members of all religions from every continent.”
Music does play an important role in any conflict in this world, and music is also a mirror of one’s culture. And regarding the Palestinian Israeli conflict, musical centers that combine both youth from the two sides is in my opinion “Okay”, and I would rather stay conservative regarding my personal opinion about such projects. Because again, our conflict will never be solved through music or talks or violence, but through international laws, human rights, justice, equality and freedom.
I agree that the conflict can not be solved through music or things of that nature, but isn't it a good stepping stone? The final goal is to achieve equal human rights, equality, and freedom, but this will not happen if things continue as they are. People need to start taking small steps to improve the situation as it is, and then justice will be more achievable. I believe these programs are the stepping stones we need.
ReplyDeleteThey might be the stepping stones that we need in order to reach to an agreement. I am not saying anything against than that, but from a Palestinian point of view, from a personal experience under occupation, oppression and apartheid, i can say that music can help but is not the way or the beginning of the way to solve such a conflict.
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