Music often gives expression to human experiences that are difficult to communicate. In times of war and national crises, artists harness music as a tool for community empowerment and healing. With this starting point, fifth-year Arabic students at Indiana University spent the fall semester looking at how the role of music takes form during… Read more »
Music, Islam, & Muslims
Dena El Saffar on her listening practices by Ezgi Benli
“To really have the spirit of the Middle Eastern music, you shouldn’t be looking at a piece of paper, you know, you should be looking at each other or closing your eyes or looking at your instrument.” Right before the pandemic, Dena and I were practicing for an upcoming Turkish concert. After our rehearsals, I… Read more »
An Interview with Ala and Yaman Hayani
Shems al-Ubaidi and Audria Hettinger, two seniors in Professor Iman Al-Ramadan’s course “Arabic Culture through Music” at Indiana University, met with Syrian artist Ala Hayani and his son Yaman Hayani to discuss Arabic music, their music, and how the war in Syria has impacted their lives as artists. Hayani and his family are originally… Read more »