Antonine University (UA) proudly showcased its pioneering research in musicology and music therapy through the participation of Prof. Nidaa Abou Mrad, Dean of the Faculty of Music and Musicology (FMM), at the Maqām Festival, held during the HEARTH Summit Kuwait 2025 at the American University of Kuwait (AUK), on December 5 and 6, 2025.

Prof. Abou Mrad curated and led the festival’s signature program, “Seeking the Spirit of the Maqām,” which introduced attendees to the depth, healing, and spiritual resonance of Western Asian modal traditions. In his plenary session, “Maqām Music for Healing,” he traced the emotional impact of maqām music across centuries, highlighting its documented therapeutic use among medieval Arab physicians. He also presented ongoing neuroscience and music therapy research conducted at UA, with particular focus on studies aimed at alleviating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in Lebanon.

The program continued with an interactive workshop led by Prof. Abou Mrad, with the contribution of Dr. Ghassan Sahhab. Thirty young participants engaged in a hands-on exploration of the theoretical, historical, and mystical foundations of maqām music, while examining how sound structures and modal systems can support emotional regulation and healing processes.

The festival concluded with a closing concert by the Maqām Festival Ensemble, featuring Prof. Abou Mrad on violin and Dr. Sahhab on qānūn. Through improvised musical sequences in the Rāst (joyful), Ṣabā (sorrowful), and Bayyātī (quiet) maqāmāt, the performance brought together scholarship, artistic expression, and lived musical experience in a powerful and evocative finale.

A Step Forward for UA’s Mission and Global Engagement

Through this contribution, UA reaffirmed its commitment to preserving and revitalizing cultural heritage, advancing interdisciplinary and contextualized research, and promoting knowledge that serves societal well-being. Prof. Abou Mrad’s participation aligns closely with the University’s strategic vision for 2025–28, which emphasizes research that makes a difference, international collaboration, and the thoughtful integration of tradition and innovation in support of integral human development.