so by way of applause how many of you have been in a new situation and met
have been in a new situation and met
have been in a new situation and met someone you knew tried to get to know
someone you knew tried to get to know
someone you knew tried to get to know them and you said hey so what kind of
them and you said hey so what kind of
them and you said hey so what kind of music do you listen to anyone and by way
music do you listen to anyone and by way
music do you listen to anyone and by way of applause how many of you at a certain
of applause how many of you at a certain
of applause how many of you at a certain point in time felt like you needed to
point in time felt like you needed to
point in time felt like you needed to release an emotion like anger or sadness
release an emotion like anger or sadness
release an emotion like anger or sadness drop of tear here and there or just go
drop of tear here and there or just go
drop of tear here and there or just go out for a run and be rebellious how many
out for a run and be rebellious how many
out for a run and be rebellious how many of you used music to do that so I’m
of you used music to do that so I’m
of you used music to do that so I’m balanced it’s safe to say that this is a
balanced it’s safe to say that this is a
balanced it’s safe to say that this is a kind of a daily occurrence to many of us
kind of a daily occurrence to many of us
kind of a daily occurrence to many of us really we are completely unaware
really we are completely unaware
really we are completely unaware sometimes but we speak in music every
sometimes but we speak in music every
sometimes but we speak in music every single day of our lives we are
single day of our lives we are
single day of our lives we are completely unaware that we have at hand
completely unaware that we have at hand
completely unaware that we have at hand one of the most powerful tools in
one of the most powerful tools in
one of the most powerful tools in existence not only to communicate to
existence not only to communicate to
existence not only to communicate to create bridges between one another but
create bridges between one another but
create bridges between one another but also to heal now you may argue this may
also to heal now you may argue this may
also to heal now you may argue this may sound really cliche but allow me to
sound really cliche but allow me to
sound really cliche but allow me to demonstrate I been living in the UK for
demonstrate I been living in the UK for
demonstrate I been living in the UK for the past eight years
the past eight years
the past eight years I’m originally from Baghdad I was born
I’m originally from Baghdad I was born
I’m originally from Baghdad I was born and raised there despite being born to a
and raised there despite being born to a
and raised there despite being born to a completely non musical family I
completely non musical family I
completely non musical family I completely know musical I love music and
completely know musical I love music and
completely know musical I love music and I’m completely passionate about playing
I’m completely passionate about playing
I’m completely passionate about playing the piano so I my family allowed me to
the piano so I my family allowed me to
the piano so I my family allowed me to join the music and ballet school in
join the music and ballet school in
join the music and ballet school in Baghdad which was at the time one of the
Baghdad which was at the time one of the
Baghdad which was at the time one of the best musical institutions in the Middle
best musical institutions in the Middle
best musical institutions in the Middle East but sadly during the outbreak of
East but sadly during the outbreak of
East but sadly during the outbreak of the 2003 war this school was mostly
the 2003 war this school was mostly
the 2003 war this school was mostly destroyed and most of the teachers fled
destroyed and most of the teachers fled
destroyed and most of the teachers fled the country I was 11
the country I was 11
the country I was 11 and so me amongst the other students at
and so me amongst the other students at
and so me amongst the other students at the time you were left with a challenge
the time you were left with a challenge
the time you were left with a challenge not only to survive the war but also to
not only to survive the war but also to
not only to survive the war but also to try to sustain this school so what we
try to sustain this school so what we
try to sustain this school so what we did is for those of us who are capable
did is for those of us who are capable
did is for those of us who are capable we help the younger kids but we also
we help the younger kids but we also
we help the younger kids but we also helped each other find whatever
helped each other find whatever
helped each other find whatever resources we can find online to continue
resources we can find online to continue
resources we can find online to continue learning music and perhaps
learning music and perhaps
learning music and perhaps subconsciously to us
subconsciously to us
subconsciously to us I mean consciously it wasn’t something
I mean consciously it wasn’t something
I mean consciously it wasn’t something that we were thinking doing but
that we were thinking doing but
that we were thinking doing but subconsciously it was an act of defiance
subconsciously it was an act of defiance
subconsciously it was an act of defiance so to the sporadic explosion of bombs
so to the sporadic explosion of bombs
so to the sporadic explosion of bombs outside and the shattering of windows we
outside and the shattering of windows we
outside and the shattering of windows we created an Armour of music to us that
created an Armour of music to us that
created an Armour of music to us that was our safe place
was our safe place
was our safe place fast forward a few years later and we do
fast forward a few years later and we do
fast forward a few years later and we do to the gift of social media I found out
to the gift of social media I found out
to the gift of social media I found out that there are dotted communities around
that there are dotted communities around
that there are dotted communities around the country which was if you don’t know
the country which was if you don’t know
the country which was if you don’t know made of Arab and Kurdish population and
made of Arab and Kurdish population and
made of Arab and Kurdish population and they have been in conflict for decades
they have been in conflict for decades
they have been in conflict for decades so even language there is a language
so even language there is a language
so even language there is a language barrier there but for those who are able
barrier there but for those who are able
barrier there but for those who are able to communicate through social media I
to communicate through social media I
to communicate through social media I found out that there are small
found out that there are small
found out that there are small communities of young people who didn’t
communities of young people who didn’t
communities of young people who didn’t have the means to learn music probably
have the means to learn music probably
have the means to learn music probably found some cheap instruments but they
found some cheap instruments but they
found some cheap instruments but they were still trying to find resources
were still trying to find resources
were still trying to find resources online to play so 2006-2007 dates there
online to play so 2006-2007 dates there
online to play so 2006-2007 dates there was the divide of the city and the
was the divide of the city and the
was the divide of the city and the Shia’s and and who’s with what religion
Shia’s and and who’s with what religion
Shia’s and and who’s with what religion and we’re all fighting and there was no
and we’re all fighting and there was no
and we’re all fighting and there was no unity of the country but I found that I
unity of the country but I found that I
unity of the country but I found that I had a lot in common with people I’ve
had a lot in common with people I’ve
had a lot in common with people I’ve never met but because we were both
never met but because we were both
never met but because we were both trying to survive through music so the
trying to survive through music so the
trying to survive through music so the idea was why not create a National Youth
idea was why not create a National Youth
idea was why not create a National Youth Orchestra of Iraq maybe I don’t know the
Orchestra of Iraq maybe I don’t know the
Orchestra of Iraq maybe I don’t know the people maybe I’m 17 I have no idea how
people maybe I’m 17 I have no idea how
people maybe I’m 17 I have no idea how to do it but let’s give it a go so I
to do it but let’s give it a go so I
to do it but let’s give it a go so I can’t paint for it online I had to
can’t paint for it online I had to
can’t paint for it online I had to borrow a conductor from Scotland and
borrow a conductor from Scotland and
borrow a conductor from Scotland and we’ve auditioned over YouTube and then
we’ve auditioned over YouTube and then
we’ve auditioned over YouTube and then fast forward six months later we got
fast forward six months later we got
fast forward six months later we got together in northern Iraq and the idea
together in northern Iraq and the idea
together in northern Iraq and the idea was you’re self-taught you don’t know
was you’re self-taught you don’t know
was you’re self-taught you don’t know each other but you’re here you can’t
each other but you’re here you can’t
each other but you’re here you can’t speak the same language granted but
speak the same language granted but
speak the same language granted but you can learn music and you’ve flown in
you can learn music and you’ve flown in
you can learn music and you’ve flown in tutors from the UK and the US and so I
tutors from the UK and the US and so I
tutors from the UK and the US and so I knew there was going to be problems with
knew there was going to be problems with
knew there was going to be problems with communicating but I didn’t know it’s
communicating but I didn’t know it’s
communicating but I didn’t know it’s gonna be that bad
gonna be that bad
gonna be that bad I mean the first day they were sad this
I mean the first day they were sad this
I mean the first day they were sad this is a limit of the first day just look at
is a limit of the first day just look at
is a limit of the first day just look at their facial expressions they look like
their facial expressions they look like
their facial expressions they look like they really don’t wanna be there and
they really don’t wanna be there and
they really don’t wanna be there and they played horribly as well so out of
they played horribly as well so out of
they played horribly as well so out of tune so at that point I thought this was
tune so at that point I thought this was
tune so at that point I thought this was the worst idea in the world and it’s
the worst idea in the world and it’s
the worst idea in the world and it’s going to fail massively therefore I
going to fail massively therefore I
going to fail massively therefore I tried to get them together we brought
tried to get them together we brought
tried to get them together we brought cake and one side and asked them to get
cake and one side and asked them to get
cake and one side and asked them to get to join in together maybe they’ll find
to join in together maybe they’ll find
to join in together maybe they’ll find ways to talk they didn’t for five days
ways to talk they didn’t for five days
ways to talk they didn’t for five days we were going nowhere with an orchestra
we were going nowhere with an orchestra
we were going nowhere with an orchestra you have to play as in unit otherwise
you have to play as in unit otherwise
you have to play as in unit otherwise it’s not an orchestra it’s a bunch of
it’s not an orchestra it’s a bunch of
it’s not an orchestra it’s a bunch of people were trying to be the best at
people were trying to be the best at
people were trying to be the best at playing but one day we were out of
playing but one day we were out of
playing but one day we were out of rehearsals and it was really hot it was
rehearsals and it was really hot it was
rehearsals and it was really hot it was in August and northern Iraq about 50
in August and northern Iraq about 50
in August and northern Iraq about 50 degrees and someone put some really loud
degrees and someone put some really loud
degrees and someone put some really loud dancing music it was really really loud
dancing music it was really really loud
dancing music it was really really loud and it was hot but he started dancing in
and it was hot but he started dancing in
and it was hot but he started dancing in the middle of a bus and someone else
the middle of a bus and someone else
the middle of a bus and someone else joined him and sewn the ours and the
joined him and sewn the ours and the
joined him and sewn the ours and the Kurds were dancing together on the bus
Kurds were dancing together on the bus
Kurds were dancing together on the bus and and the bus was jumping on this
and and the bus was jumping on this
and and the bus was jumping on this street and it was a nightmare for me but
street and it was a nightmare for me but
street and it was a nightmare for me but really at that moment the wall that was
really at that moment the wall that was
really at that moment the wall that was dividing them it broke
dividing them it broke
dividing them it broke magic started to happen they started
magic started to happen they started
magic started to happen they started playing beautifully they started
playing beautifully they started
playing beautifully they started communicating perhaps not in a language
communicating perhaps not in a language
communicating perhaps not in a language that they both understand but they
that they both understand but they
that they both understand but they communicated which what matters they
communicated which what matters they
communicated which what matters they played a beautiful concert attended by
played a beautiful concert attended by
played a beautiful concert attended by over a thousand people from all over the
over a thousand people from all over the
over a thousand people from all over the country to three years laters while they
country to three years laters while they
country to three years laters while they we continued the success they played and
we continued the success they played and
we continued the success they played and born they came to the UK they saw that
born they came to the UK they saw that
born they came to the UK they saw that South Bank Centre and it was amazing
South Bank Centre and it was amazing
South Bank Centre and it was amazing they learned how to communicate with
they learned how to communicate with
they learned how to communicate with each other
each other
each other decades have divided but they use music
decades have divided but they use music
decades have divided but they use music to do it they also allowed to
to do it they also allowed to
to do it they also allowed to communicate with people in the UK in
communicate with people in the UK in
communicate with people in the UK in France maybe I don’t speak French or
France maybe I don’t speak French or
France maybe I don’t speak French or English but they landon used using music
English but they landon used using music
English but they landon used using music to do it and so they did it but then
to do it and so they did it but then
to do it and so they did it but then something happened the so-called Islamic
something happened the so-called Islamic
something happened the so-called Islamic state broke out
state broke out
state broke out and as a result a lot of these musicians
and as a result a lot of these musicians
and as a result a lot of these musicians have been displaced lost their homes
have been displaced lost their homes
have been displaced lost their homes thankfully still alive
thankfully still alive
thankfully still alive but the orchestra had to go on hiatus
but the orchestra had to go on hiatus
but the orchestra had to go on hiatus and for a lot of us including myself we
and for a lot of us including myself we
and for a lot of us including myself we were floating but the images coming out
were floating but the images coming out
were floating but the images coming out of these places that were affected by
of these places that were affected by
of these places that were affected by Isis as always wanted my mind I mean we
Isis as always wanted my mind I mean we
Isis as always wanted my mind I mean we all remember the image of the little kid
all remember the image of the little kid
all remember the image of the little kid from Aleppo is stained in blood I mean
from Aleppo is stained in blood I mean
from Aleppo is stained in blood I mean this is one image that made it to the
this is one image that made it to the
this is one image that made it to the media what about the other kids what is
media what about the other kids what is
media what about the other kids what is their future going to be like I looked
their future going to be like I looked
their future going to be like I looked up online in the center for
up online in the center for
up online in the center for post-traumatic stress disorder the
post-traumatic stress disorder the
post-traumatic stress disorder the National Center says that in any given
National Center says that in any given
National Center says that in any given refugee population there is up to 86% of
refugee population there is up to 86% of
refugee population there is up to 86% of them would experience post-traumatic
them would experience post-traumatic
them would experience post-traumatic stress disorder what kind of future are
stress disorder what kind of future are
stress disorder what kind of future are we are we standing there looking at for
we are we standing there looking at for
we are we standing there looking at for these kids so a lot of people say what
these kids so a lot of people say what
these kids so a lot of people say what can we do what can we do I have often
can we do what can we do I have often
can we do what can we do I have often wondered what can I do but I do music
wondered what can I do but I do music
wondered what can I do but I do music and that’s what I did I booked a flight
and that’s what I did I booked a flight
and that’s what I did I booked a flight went back to northern Iraq
went back to northern Iraq
went back to northern Iraq but this time to the Syrian refugee
but this time to the Syrian refugee
but this time to the Syrian refugee camps and I wanted to work with young
camps and I wanted to work with young
camps and I wanted to work with young kids to help alleviate post-traumatic
kids to help alleviate post-traumatic
kids to help alleviate post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms through music
stress disorder symptoms through music
stress disorder symptoms through music so what the people say the camps there
so what the people say the camps there
so what the people say the camps there are tents and barbed wires and I’ve
are tents and barbed wires and I’ve
are tents and barbed wires and I’ve never really believed it but it’s true
never really believed it but it’s true
never really believed it but it’s true what’s worse is that whilst I imagined
what’s worse is that whilst I imagined
what’s worse is that whilst I imagined that their world would not be as rich as
that their world would not be as rich as
that their world would not be as rich as someone who lives in London or anywhere
someone who lives in London or anywhere
someone who lives in London or anywhere else but I didn’t think it would be that
else but I didn’t think it would be that
else but I didn’t think it would be that small one of the first activities I’ve
small one of the first activities I’ve
small one of the first activities I’ve done with the kids was just music and
done with the kids was just music and
done with the kids was just music and based on traffic lights and I said yeah
based on traffic lights and I said yeah
based on traffic lights and I said yeah you know the traffic lights it’s a red
you know the traffic lights it’s a red
you know the traffic lights it’s a red green yellow said miss what is a traffic
green yellow said miss what is a traffic
green yellow said miss what is a traffic lights and it didn’t occur to me that
lights and it didn’t occur to me that
lights and it didn’t occur to me that this child who’s 7 was here but the
this child who’s 7 was here but the
this child who’s 7 was here but the surrounding the camp maybe three four
surrounding the camp maybe three four
surrounding the camp maybe three four years ago he hasn’t seen the outside
years ago he hasn’t seen the outside
years ago he hasn’t seen the outside life so to some what ins whose world is
life so to some what ins whose world is
life so to some what ins whose world is so small what can you do where can you
so small what can you do where can you
so small what can you do where can you start so we started with simple
start so we started with simple
start so we started with simple activities we danced we played and I
activities we danced we played and I
activities we danced we played and I brought a friend
brought a friend
brought a friend the flutes and so then they’ve never
the flutes and so then they’ve never
the flutes and so then they’ve never seen an instrument live before so at
seen an instrument live before so at
seen an instrument live before so at first we played but we use music we use
first we played but we use music we use
first we played but we use music we use happy music we use sad music and then we
happy music we use sad music and then we
happy music we use sad music and then we progressed we started learning rhythm
progressed we started learning rhythm
progressed we started learning rhythm and then we also progressed we did
and then we also progressed we did
and then we also progressed we did improv plays whether we’re we use in
improv plays whether we’re we use in
improv plays whether we’re we use in music and then we I give them a scenario
music and then we I give them a scenario
music and then we I give them a scenario and they have to actor to the music I’ll
and they have to actor to the music I’ll
and they have to actor to the music I’ll give you the scenario the center is move
give you the scenario the center is move
give you the scenario the center is move has 500 kids registered at least and to
has 500 kids registered at least and to
has 500 kids registered at least and to control the amount of kids coming in
control the amount of kids coming in
control the amount of kids coming in after school they have to use whistles
after school they have to use whistles
after school they have to use whistles to control them so it’s very chaotic so
to control them so it’s very chaotic so
to control them so it’s very chaotic so to get them to do that was in few weeks
to get them to do that was in few weeks
to get them to do that was in few weeks with a feat but then we started
with a feat but then we started
with a feat but then we started discussing more subjects so I try to use
discussing more subjects so I try to use
discussing more subjects so I try to use a music therapy method which is called
a music therapy method which is called
a music therapy method which is called guided imagery so you give them a topic
guided imagery so you give them a topic
guided imagery so you give them a topic and then we use music we use yog Rafi to
and then we use music we use yog Rafi to
and then we use music we use yog Rafi to say well this is the Czech Republic and
say well this is the Czech Republic and
say well this is the Czech Republic and there is this composer for instance who
there is this composer for instance who
there is this composer for instance who wrote about homeland what is your idea
wrote about homeland what is your idea
wrote about homeland what is your idea of homeland and I play the music of that
of homeland and I play the music of that
of homeland and I play the music of that expresses homeland and they draw their
expresses homeland and they draw their
expresses homeland and they draw their idea of homeland and then we play a more
idea of homeland and then we play a more
idea of homeland and then we play a more melancholic melody and they draw their
melancholic melody and they draw their
melancholic melody and they draw their idea of homeland and we discuss it and
idea of homeland and we discuss it and
idea of homeland and we discuss it and for these kids the staff has to contain
for these kids the staff has to contain
for these kids the staff has to contain them most of the time at school they’re
them most of the time at school they’re
them most of the time at school they’re taught to sit down they told tune you
taught to sit down they told tune you
taught to sit down they told tune you know not be naughty they told not to
know not be naughty they told not to
know not be naughty they told not to express themselves this was an
express themselves this was an
express themselves this was an opportunity for them to be to just
opportunity for them to be to just
opportunity for them to be to just simply be and so I’ll give you few
simply be and so I’ll give you few
simply be and so I’ll give you few examples of the drawings this is it says
examples of the drawings this is it says
examples of the drawings this is it says home is a night out with friends perhaps
home is a night out with friends perhaps
home is a night out with friends perhaps doing barbecue this one is a Vidal who
doing barbecue this one is a Vidal who
doing barbecue this one is a Vidal who is sad that she left her home as you can
is sad that she left her home as you can
is sad that she left her home as you can see and her friend and this one is
see and her friend and this one is
see and her friend and this one is wasn’t about home but this kid just
wasn’t about home but this kid just
wasn’t about home but this kid just heard him like drew himself crying and
heard him like drew himself crying and
heard him like drew himself crying and say I’m crying I’m pulling my hair I’m
say I’m crying I’m pulling my hair I’m
say I’m crying I’m pulling my hair I’m really angry so they learned how to feel
really angry so they learned how to feel
really angry so they learned how to feel and it was through the use of music I
and it was through the use of music I
and it was through the use of music I mean the images are there but it’s an
mean the images are there but it’s an
mean the images are there but it’s an expression of what was surrounding them
expression of what was surrounding them
expression of what was surrounding them then we progressed onto medication and
then we progressed onto medication and
then we progressed onto medication and now for kids aged 8 to 16 it’s a feat to
now for kids aged 8 to 16 it’s a feat to
now for kids aged 8 to 16 it’s a feat to sit them down and say listen sign out
sit them down and say listen sign out
sit them down and say listen sign out the end and meditate but they did it
the end and meditate but they did it
the end and meditate but they did it because they wanted to and they started
because they wanted to and they started
because they wanted to and they started coming to me said hey miss do you know
coming to me said hey miss do you know
coming to me said hey miss do you know where I can find the music because I
where I can find the music because I
where I can find the music because I want to sleep to it at night and so
want to sleep to it at night and so
want to sleep to it at night and so after we did that they wanted to learn
after we did that they wanted to learn
after we did that they wanted to learn more about music because they found an
more about music because they found an
more about music because they found an interest in it and that that connected
interest in it and that that connected
interest in it and that that connected them and it started I can see them
them and it started I can see them
them and it started I can see them changing I can see their facial
changing I can see their facial
changing I can see their facial expressions opening up a lot more with
expressions opening up a lot more with
expressions opening up a lot more with that I think the last day has been the
that I think the last day has been the
that I think the last day has been the most monumental because I walked in and
most monumental because I walked in and
most monumental because I walked in and instead of using whistles like the first
instead of using whistles like the first
instead of using whistles like the first time I just did this and they all came
time I just did this and they all came
time I just did this and they all came around in a circle about 80 of them I
around in a circle about 80 of them I
around in a circle about 80 of them I still get goosebumps thinking thinking
still get goosebumps thinking thinking
still get goosebumps thinking thinking about it because I didn’t think it was
about it because I didn’t think it was
about it because I didn’t think it was going to be possible they appreciated
going to be possible they appreciated
going to be possible they appreciated that it is possible not only to
that it is possible not only to
that it is possible not only to communicate and to heal but it’s also to
communicate and to heal but it’s also to
communicate and to heal but it’s also to find something in common with another I
find something in common with another I
find something in common with another I mean they always ask me so what is
mean they always ask me so what is
mean they always ask me so what is London like is it better than here they
London like is it better than here they
London like is it better than here they always ask me that question for some
always ask me that question for some
always ask me that question for some reason but we found something in common
reason but we found something in common
reason but we found something in common and this is very important during this
and this is very important during this
and this is very important during this time where fear so prevalence everything
time where fear so prevalence everything
time where fear so prevalence everything is happening around us in this world is
is happening around us in this world is
is happening around us in this world is telling us but but look out but but be
telling us but but look out but but be
telling us but but look out but but be afraid of this person but be suspicious
afraid of this person but be suspicious
afraid of this person but be suspicious watch out you know protect yourself but
watch out you know protect yourself but
watch out you know protect yourself but we are so much better than that we
we are so much better than that we
we are so much better than that we really really are we have so many things
really really are we have so many things
really really are we have so many things that bind us and one of them is music
that bind us and one of them is music
that bind us and one of them is music it’s so everybody listens to music I can
it’s so everybody listens to music I can
it’s so everybody listens to music I can guarantee you that every single one of
guarantee you that every single one of
guarantee you that every single one of you has a favorite song or a favorite
you has a favorite song or a favorite
you has a favorite song or a favorite piece I can guarantee you that so
piece I can guarantee you that so
piece I can guarantee you that so already we have something in common why
already we have something in common why
already we have something in common why not use it we’re really human we really
not use it we’re really human we really
not use it we’re really human we really need to focus on our humanity if what
need to focus on our humanity if what
need to focus on our humanity if what makes us who we are use what you know
makes us who we are use what you know
makes us who we are use what you know use what you know that can connect you
use what you know that can connect you
use what you know that can connect you to connect please don’t allow fear to
to connect please don’t allow fear to
to connect please don’t allow fear to distract you
distract you
distract you from the meaning of being alive and to
from the meaning of being alive and to
from the meaning of being alive and to be someone who contributes to the
be someone who contributes to the
be someone who contributes to the betterment of this world thank you ever
betterment of this world thank you ever
betterment of this world thank you ever so much
so much
so much [Applause]
”
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