Arabic oud icon seeks to ‘change soul’ of Iraq with music – FRANCE 24
Issued on: 19/01/2022 - 05:02Modified: 19/01/2022 - 05:00
Baghdad (AFP) Long uprooted from his native Iraq, Naseer Shamma, an icon of the Arabic oud, has returned home to help rekindle the flame of Iraqi music, snuffed out by decades of conflict.
"When you are in your own country, you feel very high emotions with the audience," the master string player said in an interview with AFP.
At nearly 60, the virtuoso who studied under late Iraqi oud legend Munir Bashir still appears in awe of his instrument, as well as those that accompany it.
"All those instruments are Iraqi -- you have the santur for example. Each one is from 2000 BC," he said at the national theatre orchestra packed with Iraqi instruments.
"They are very historic instruments and the sound is a very special sound."
Speaking between rehearsals, he added: "There is nostalgia here, with friends. I studied in Baghdad for six years and I always feel more comfortable when I play here."
But such nights in Baghdad have become more of an exception than the rule for Shamma, a native of Kut, in the country's southeast.
Exiled in 1993 under dictator Saddam Hussein, he only returned to Iraq for the first time in 2012.
In the interim, he spent time in Cairo, as well as launching schools of Arabic oud across the Middle East, before settling in Berlin, where he lives now.
Aside from his musical mission, his latest Baghdad performances come with another purpose.
"Now we're playing to help education. My new project is called 'education first'. We need to help Iraqi schools," Shamma said.
As UNICEF has pointed out, "decades of conflict and under-investment in Iraq have destroyed what used to be the best education system in the region and severely curtailed Iraqi children's access to quality learning".
From the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s to the subsequent international embargoes, the 2003 US-led invasion and the later Islamic State group takeover, Iraq has struggled to emerge from bloody turmoil.
"And of course, three or four generations paid the price of this," Shamma said.
Despite the sluggish pace of Iraq's recovery and the political disputes that always threaten to erupt into new violence, the musician is hopeful for change.
"We hope that music... will change the soul of people," he said.
While Iraq is still far from its cultural heyday of the 1970s and 80s, it has recently seen a fledgling renaissance, with art galleries opening and book fairs and festivals being held.
"We need to close the bad past and start again a new life with a new memory and a new vision for the future," Shamma said.
2022 AFP
More here:
Arabic oud icon seeks to 'change soul' of Iraq with music - FRANCE 24
- Iraqs prime minister seeks closer US ties while keeping armed groups at bay - AP News - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Turkey asks Iraq to ensure full use of oil pipeline in talks on new deal - Reuters - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Ritchie Torres: Gaza war is turning into a quagmire like Iraq - Jewish Insider - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- This is the darkest day in British foreign policy since the invasion of Iraq - The Telegraph - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Pakistani pilgrims barred from by-road travel to Iran, Iraq this Arbaeen: interior minister - Dawn - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Iraq to open first two colleges on Artificial Intelligence - The New Arab - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Turkey Shifts Iraq Strategy Amid Waning U.S. and Iranian Influence - Stratfor: The World's Leading Geopolitical Intelligence Platform - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Cambodia Unites With Yemen, Myanmar, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Lebanon, Canada, And More As High-Risk Countries Urgent Travel Advisory Warns Indian... - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Turkey wants to use full capacity of pipeline with Iraq: Minister - rudaw.net - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- The Garden of Eden was in Iraq's marshes now its being destroyed by climate change - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Iraq detects oil tankers trying to hide their locations - Iraqi News - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Turkeys Iraq pipeline loss overshadowed by rail project ambitions - Arabian Gulf Business Insight | AGBI - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- Iraq and Saudi Arabia discuss the Situation in Syria - - July 30th, 2025 [July 30th, 2025]
- TotalEnergies breaks ground on 1GW Basra solar farm in Iraq - PV Tech - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Remarks by Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance, at... - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Iraq Identifies Tankers Spoofing to Conceal Their Location - Marine News Magazine - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Public fury in Iraq after clashes between militia and security forces - MSN - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Iraqi Hizbullah Brigades Denies Involvement In Baghdad Gunfight, Frames Escalation As 'Malicious' Foreign Attempt To Divide Iraq And Drive Government... - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Announce of first womens party in Iraq - - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- The Mandaeans in Iraq, whose marriage depends on river water levels - Trkiye Today - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Pakistan Is Arranging Special Flights for Pilgrims Traveling to Iran and Iraq Amid Security Concerns: Heres What You Should Know Now - Travel And Tour... - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Iraq grants patents for cancer therapy and smart tech innovations - Shafaq News - - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- The Bright Side: Iraq's women table tennis athletes chase the Paralympic dream - France 24 - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Iraq to invite bids for $17bn road and rail project later this year - Arabian Gulf Business Insight | AGBI - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Iraq to begin operations at 1GW solar plant by year-end - Arabian Gulf Business Insight | AGBI - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- New 55-acre bike park opens in Victor, created by Iraq veteran and family - KPAX News - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Iraq warns of severe drought due to low water inflows from upstream countries - Xinhua - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Hundreds Protest in Babil , Iraq Over Severe Water Shortages Amid Scorching Heat - kurdistan24.net - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- International Coalition appoints new commander for its forces in Syria and Iraq - - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Hamedan, Iran, Hosts Third International Medical Tourism Conference, Attracts Patients from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Beyond- What You Really Need To... - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Resecurity Partners with Iraq Cyber Events Response Team (IQ-CERT) to Advance National Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence - Business Wire - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Why Turkey plans to end its 52-year oil pipeline deal with Iraq - AL-Monitor - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Will Iraq recover billions in vanished assets abroad? - Amwaj.media - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iraq Air Base Award is Tainted by Pay-to-Play, Protester Says - Bloomberg Law News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iraq records 30 deaths from viral haemorrhagic fever in 2025 - The New Arab - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iraq Stock Exchange trades over 7 billion dinars this week - Iraqi News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran Must Relearn the Lessons from Its Eight-Year War with Iraq - The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- At least 4 killed in fire in Iraq's capital Baghdad - Xinhua - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Germany: Yazidi family among those deported to Iraq - InfoMigrants - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Resecurity Partners with Iraq Cyber Events Response Team (IQ-CERT) to Advance National Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence - New Castle News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iraq Launches City of Gold in Baghdad to Boost Non-Oil Economy and Jewelry Industry - Sada Elbalad english - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iran, Iraq MPs allied in idea of US withdrawal from Iraq - Mehr News Agency - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Resecurity Partners with Iraq Cyber Events Response Team (IQ-CERT) to Advance National Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence - Bakersfield.com - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Iraq: Pipeline Termination a Formality, New Deal in the Works - kurdistan24.net - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Top 10 worlds most safe and unsafe countries: India trails behind Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and even Iraq - The Indian Express - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Tony Blair was urged to delay US invasion of Iraq, archives reveal - The Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Britain told US that invading Iraq could cost Blair his premiership, papers reveal - The Guardian - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Iraq Syndrome is dead, why PBS & NPR had to go and other commentary - New York Post - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Turkey submits draft proposal to Iraq to renew, expand energy agreement - Reuters - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Watch Turkey to Seek New Oil Deal With Iraq on Idled Pipeline - Bloomberg.com - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Turkey Eyes New Deal with Iraq on Idled Oil Pipeline - Rigzone - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- It was politically impossible for UK to draw back from Iraq War, new files claim - The Independent - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Trkiyes oil agreement with top exporter Iraq ends by 2026heres what we know - Trkiye Today - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- UK warned US that Iraq war could topple Tony Blair - The New Arab - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Why Turkey ended the oil pipeline pact with Iraq - Arabian Gulf Business Insight | AGBI - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Trkiye seeks new Iraq deal as it ends over 50-year oil pipeline pact | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Turkey Seeks New Deal with Iraq to Revive Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline - Pipeline and Gas Journal - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Register today to embark on a Spiritual and Educational Journey to Iraq - Imam Mahdi Association of Marjaeya - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Iraq makes 'decisive findings' about drone attacks without identifying who targeted its bases - ABC News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq works to rein in culprits after sequence of drone attacks on energy and oil sites - Yahoo Home - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq Set for Key Oil Cargo Surge in Sign of Increased Output - Bloomberg.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Officials try to identify 18 bodies in deadly Iraq shopping mall fire - ABC News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Pope offers condolences, prayers for victims of Iraq fire - Vatican News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Nutley Mayor John Kelly to deploy with NJ National Guard to Iraq next month - Bergen Record - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Nutley Township mayor set to be deployed to Iraq - News 12 - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq concludes 2025 wheat marketing season with over 6.5 million tons stored - Iraqi News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq Set for Key Oil Cargo Surge in Sign of Increased Output - gCaptain - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- More than 60 die in fire at newly opened shopping mall in Iraq - The Guardian - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- PKK member killed in Iraq by unidentified drone - The Jerusalem Post - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Vacuum of power: What follows the PKKs fade from Iraq? | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Over 10 years after ISIS takeover, Iraq's Mosul Airport reopens: What to know - AL-Monitor - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Drones Hit Oil Fields in Northern Iraq in Spree of Attacks - Bloomberg.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq makes 'decisive findings' about drone attacks without identifying who targeted its bases - Indiana Gazette Online - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Iraq urges Turkiye to act in most severe water scarcity in decades - Shafaq News - - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Earthquake Strikes Duhok Province in Northern Iraq... - jordannews.jo - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Sixty people killed in mall fire in al-Kut city, eastern Iraq - The Jerusalem Post - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Crude Oil Prices Erase Early Gains On The Outlook For Iraq To Boost Crude Exports - Barchart.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Investigating deadly Iraq fire and assessing situation in Syria - BBC - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Drone attacks on oil fields in Iraqs Kurdish region shut down facilities - AP News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Over 60 dead after fire rips through shopping mall in Iraq - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]