About music censorship Artists on censorship About Freemuse Publications Study room Activities News News 2007 News 2006 News 2005 News 2004 News 2003 News 2002 News 2001 Links Press room

NEWS 30 October 2006 Freemuse.org: Videocamera focus on artists from the Middle East Watch the new video interviews on www.freemuse.org During the 'Images of the Middle East' festival in Denmark in August-September 2006, Freemuse recorded video interviews with...   • Turkish-Kurdish folk singer  Sivan Perwer • Palestinian-Israeli singer Kamilya Jubran • Lebanese Death Metal band Oath to Vanquish • Lebanese-French rapper and composer Clotaire K • Also, the American author and historian Mark LeVine who attended a conference about freedom of speech during the festival had interesting comments to make about Heavy Metal and Islam and Globalisation in the Middle East • In Lebanon, we interviewed the censored 24-year-old producer of Dark Ambient, Xardas • The question of music prohibition in Islam receives renewed attention in Somalia and Pakistan. Watch this interview with the Pakistani musician who discussed the issue with clerics in Pakistan already in 2004, Salman Ahmad Note The interviews are recorded in a new film format – and we would very much like to hear your comments, also technically: how did you experience the video clips on your computer screen? Send us your comments Related reading on 'Islam' Middle East: Dossier on music, bans and censorship The internet portal Qantara.de has produced a dossier entitled 'Middle Eastern Musical Worlds'. It includes issues of music bans and censorship in the Islamic world 16 May 2007 Sudan: Censored singer tries to reform Janjaweed 'hate singers' While struggling with censorship in Khartoum, the Sudanese singer-songwriter Abazar Hamid hopes to bring peace to Sudan with his music, reported Stephanie McCrummen 24 June 2008 USA/UK: Deeyah speaks out about the unspeakable Freemuse hands the microphone to Deeyah - a pop singer and an activist with a serious message. She has placed herself in the crossfire of today’s most controversial, religious issues 09 August 2006 Denmark: Teenager arrested for 'death rap' A 17-year-old teenager was arrested for sending death threats in the form of a rap song to the Danish politician Naser Khader, reports the news agency Reuters 08 May 2006 Mark LeVine: 'Heavy Metal Islam' American author and historian Mark LeVine has published a book about the special role of Heavy Metal music in the Middle East and its relationship with Islam: 'Heavy Metal Islam' 16 July 2008 Somalia / Somaliland: University students obstructed music event The students of the University of Hargeisa rejected and obstructed a celebration for the World Music Day, which was scheduled to take place on 21 June, 2008 08 July 2008 Somalia: Bloodshed continues and music disappears Radical Islamist groups have unleashed a renewed crackdown on music, cinemas, and music-related events 04 July 2008 Malaysia: Two singers deemed "unacceptable to Islam" The youth wing of Malaysia's opposition Islamic party will stage a peaceful protest if the two singers Mas Idayu and Ella are not banned from a 6 July concert 17 June 2008 Somalia: 30 musicians lashed by religious militia 12 years ago Somali woman singer tells the untold story of how, in 1996, local Islamic court's militia raided a concert in Mogadishu, and sentenced the musicians to 20 lashes each 10 June 2008 Iraq: Students are still hiding their instruments Students of Iraq’s Music and Ballet School still risk being attacked because of their love of music. This article summons the latest news from the musical life in Iraq. 05 June 2008 Saudi Arabia: Interview with founder of thrash metal band Faisal Al-Alamy is founder of the Saudi Arabian thrash metal band Octum. They released a demo entitled 'Fighting For Freedom' in January 2008 04 June 2008 Saudi Arabia: Musicians' freedom expanded There has been a quiet, yet marked increase in cultural activities in Saudi Arabia during the past couple of months. New music bands emerge and blossom on the internet 27 May 2008 Pakistan: Music breaks chains in North West Pakistan The melody of Pashto music that has been in chains for the last five years has now found a way to bless the hearts of its lovers with a renewed zeal and life 21 May 2008 Iraq: Religious restrictions cause singers to flee Iraqi singers are fleeing the country after dozens have been killed by Islamic radicals determined to eradicate all culture associated with the West 20 May 2008 Bahrain: Parliament's attempt to ban singer failed Bahrain's Islamist parliament members wanted to ban the Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe from performing in the country because of her sexy looks. They were not successful 05 May 2008