Under the Islamic State group’s rule, Syrian farmer Faysal was forced to hide his sketches and paintings, but displaced by fighting he has finally been able to resume his beloved hobby. He sought refuge with his family at the Ain Issa camp in northern Syria three months ago, fleeing the battle for jihadist stronghold Raqa, … Read more
A prominent composer has asked for answers and greater scrutiny of US airports’ treatment of travelers after he said he was detained for hours on his return to New York. Mohammed Fairouz, a longtime New York resident whose works are frequently played at major institutions such as Carnegie Hall, said he was pulled aside on … Read more
To Mohammed Fairouz, a leading US composer whose work seeks the universal in the present day, policy experts have it wrong when it comes to President Donald Trump. The artist, who has brought both poetry and politics alive through his music, finds it telling that Trump is so visibly enraged by Alec Baldwin, the actor … Read more
Atop the ruins of Syria’s famed Palmyra theatre, recently recaptured from the Islamic State group, teenage musician Angel Dayoub sings an old Arabic favourite: “We’re coming back, oh love, we’re coming back.” The 15-year-old’s voice floats over the ancient Roman theatre, heavily damaged then abandoned by IS jihadists on Thursday as Russian-backed government forces drew … Read more