On December 14, 2023, the Faculty of Music and Musicology (FMM) at Antonine University (UA) held a lecture titled “Introduction to Musical Traditions in Palestine,” presented by Dr. Ghassan Sahhab, a faculty member at the FMM. In the preamble, the FMM Dean, Prof. Nidaa Abou Mrad, emphasized that the purpose of the lecture was to show solidarity with the Palestinian people in the face of the desire to annihilate their identity.

During the lecture, Dr. Sahhab provided an overview of the artistic and popular musical traditions of Palestine, using a historical and descriptive approach to highlight the musical system adopted, main musical forms, and the significant contributions of musicians from both historical Palestine and the diaspora. He also emphasized the role of these musicians in shaping a creative and vibrant Palestinian musical identity, which remains integrated into the broader Arab culture of the Mašriq, despite the challenges of colonization, occupation, settlements, and ongoing abuses.

The UA Rector, Fr. Michel Saghbiny, concluded the session by stressing the importance of this academic and cultural contribution made by the FMM in favor of the Palestinian people during these tragic times.