Progressive.org reports that musicians at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music are organizing music sessions to provide psychological relief for children, displaced people, and journalists in Gaza. After an Israeli military strike destroyed the conservatory’s headquarters in October 2023, staff relocated activities to displacement shelters and educational tents to maintain access amid the devastation.
Fouad Khader, a coordinator for the conservatory, told Progressive.org that continuing these programs remained difficult due to constant danger and repeated displacement. The outlet notes that organizers attempted twenty-five separate music sessions during the war but were forced to abandon each location quickly due to security conditions, disrupting relationships with participants.
The programming recently expanded to include group singing sessions for twenty female journalists experiencing psychological pressure, Progressive.org reported. Farah Hassan, a field reporter who participated, stated that the program treated music as a tool for healing rather than entertainment. She described the sessions as essential for regaining energy and expressing emotions while working in a conflict zone. As safe cultural spaces diminish, these workers strive to preserve music’s role in promoting mental health and cultural identity within the community.
For more information, visit progressive.org.