IRAQ-DISPLACED MUSICIANS Syrian refugees turn to music to raise their spirits

Record ID: 145811

  • Title: IRAQ-DISPLACED MUSICIANS Syrian refugees turn to music to raise their spirits
  • Date: 29th July 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN MUSIC TEACHER, JUDI SHAWKAT, SAYING: "We opened a course for learning music and musical notes, we train them and help them change their mood and help them achieve their dreams. There are many talents here but they have no motivation. We are here to support them emotionally and give them moral support, until we can get to them to feel better." MU
  • Embargoed: 13th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVADIUSUK159V9ZERBBO0NZFJCPD
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: At the Domiz refugee camp in northern Iraq, displaced Syrians are turning to music as a way to cope with the trauma of fleeing their homes and the difficulties of daily life as a refugee.
    A group called the Sardam Youth Centre, created by Iraqis and Syrians and supported by the United Nations Population Fund, has set up an initiative to teach Syrian refugees how to play musical instruments.
    One of the music teachers, Syrian Judi Shawkat, said the aim is to improve the refugees' lives.
    "We opened a course for learning music and musical notes, we train them and help them change their mood and help them achieve their dreams. There are many talents here but they have no motivation. We are here to support them emotionally and give them moral support, until we can get to them to feel better," he said.
    Each course at the centre lasts two weeks, with an average of 20 to 25 students enrolling every time.
    One of those attending this round of lessons is Najwa Abdul Rahman, who said it's been a long held dream of hers to learn to play an instrument.
    "The music course really benefited me, took me out of the state of pessimism that I was in and changed my mood and it's better than sitting at home. Thank God that we have such a thing over here to make us feel better. I always wanted to get musical training because since I was a child I wanted to play the guitar," she said.
    Earlier this month the UN refugee agency said the number of Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries has passed 4 million, adding that the total was on course to reach 4.27 million by the end of 2015.
    The majority of Syrian refugees have fled to Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt and Turkey.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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