“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.” (Kahil Gibran)
Born in an impoverished area of Beirut, Lebanon, in 1935, Nuhad Haddad -better known as Fairuz- became one of the most admired and respected singers in the Arab world with over 1,000 songs across 80 albums.
Fairuz and the power of music to promote peace
Music is a universal language loved by all that can be used to give hope in times of trouble and transcends the barriers that divide us. As globalisation fosters a greater exchange of ideas and cultures than ever, many nations still grapple with political turmoil. How can music serve as a cornerstone to preserving a united national identity in a divided nation?
The allure of Fairuz’s music comes from its broad themes that resonate with all that call Lebanon home, regardless of religion or race. Her songs cast the listener to a distant dream-like Lebanon of years gone by, idyllic and full of hope, her songs often evoke the memory of simple village life.
Her social commitment
Fairuz uses her voice to provide an escape to a people enduring the ravages of war. Her voice is sweet and delicate, but powerful. It is described by Virginia Danielson, an expert on Middle Eastern music at Harvard University to “produce the kind of ornaments and the delicacies of pitch and intonation that are so much a part of Arab music with great ease, and her singing very often feels effortless”.
Alongside her accessible lyrics, Fairuz used her influence to advocate for the Palestinian people, her commitment to giving voice to those stripped of political and cultural expression is abundantly clear. Throughout her career her passion for advocacy has firmly established her image in the hearts and minds of Lebanese society. Her refusal to take sides or perform during the Lebanese Civil War (1985-1990) was a widely respected decision that reflects her desire to bring attention to social issues above her career.
Fairuz’s sweet, melodic songs have united a divided nation through a shared love for a cultural icon. In a world where social justice can come at the expense of musical stardom, Fairuz was undeterred, displaying sensitivity to the social and political issues faced by her country. Today she remains an icon and symbol of unity, we can feel this shared sentiment in the popular saying among Lebanese people, “the Lebanese may differ from one another in every way but when it comes to her, they are always in agreement”.
You can listen to Fairuz here: