The Faculty of Music and Musicology (FMM) at Antonine University (UA) is proud to announce that Dr. Ghassan Sahhab has been awarded the 2025 Prize of the Société Française d’Analyse Musicale (SFAM) and the journal Musurgia. This prestigious distinction recognizes his article, “Réécriture sémiotique modale transformationnelle d’un taqsīm improvisé au qānūn en mode Rāst par Muḥammad al-‘Aqqād.”

This achievement highlights a remarkable contribution to contemporary musicological research. In his study, Dr. Sahhab applies, with rigor and precision, the analytical methodology of modal semiotics theory developed by Prof. Nidaa Abou Mrad to an improvised taqsīm on the qānūn. His work offers new insights into transformational rewriting, creative interpretation, and the structure of modal expression in Arabic art music.

Notably, this marks the first time a researcher from the Arab world has received this musicological prize, which has traditionally been awarded within European academic circles. This recognition reflects not only the excellence of Dr. Sahhab’s work, but also the growing visibility and scholarly impact of research emerging from the FMM.

At UA, achievements of this caliber reinforce our commitment to advancing interdisciplinary and contextualized research, honoring musical heritage, and supporting scholarly contributions that resonate beyond academic borders. As the University continues to promote innovation rooted in cultural identity and academic rigor, distinctions such as this affirm our mission to shape knowledge that enriches both local communities and the broader intellectual landscape.

Antonine University warmly congratulates Dr. Ghassan Sahhab on this exceptional accomplishment and celebrates the international recognition of research conducted within the Faculty of Music and Musicology.