Locations
Music as a medium for peace: UNDP supports Iraqi Peace Orchestra
January 26, 2022
“Music is the color that distinguishes one city from another. Iraqis associate music with desire and nostalgia. Just hearing a song or a piece of music that is part of a memory raises many emotions.”
– Mustafa Zair.
On 17 December 2021, a full house enjoyed a musical performance for the first time in 18 years at Baghdad’s Al Rashid Theatre. The theatre was destroyed during conflict in 2003 and was since rehabilitated. UNDP Iraq was proud to support Mustafa Zair, renowned Iraqi musician, and his oud peace orchestra, in their debut performance. With over 500 attendees in person, the conference was also live streamed on Facebook.
The orchestra represents unity, peace, and cohesion, with members from governorates across Iraq including Baghdad, Salah al-Din, Sulaymaniyah, Nasiriyah, Wasit, Babil, Maysan, and Basra, including four young women.
Mustafa Zair conceived the idea for a peace orchestra while working to train his students to play the oud.
“I felt that these young men and women are advocates of peace, and it is evident in their faces, which are full of kindness and spread the energy of love and peace.”
Preparation for the orchestra began in early 2021 and started with meetings and correspondence over the internet. The members trained two days per week, with daily practices closer to the debut event in December.
“The amount of love and happiness from everyone who attended on 17 December is indescribable. They are waiting for our next performance.”
Next steps for the peace orchestra include visiting other Iraqi governorates to reach those who may not be able to easily travel to Baghdad.
“UNDP is an effective partner because they support art and music as having a positive role in building a person’s capabilities to change themselves for the better.”
UNDP Iraq has launched in 2020 a dedicated five-year Social Cohesion Programme to promote stronger, peaceful, and more cohesive communities in all areas of Iraq. The media component of this programme involves supporting Iraqi musicians, artists, and influencers in advocating for peace and unity in celebration of diversity.
.
