Montreal musician performs concert for Syrian aid
Posted February 13, 2023 3:26 pm.
Last Updated February 13, 2023 6:38 pm.
Syrian-Canadian musician Ayham Abou Ammar performed Tarab music at a concert in Montreal on Friday, Feb. 10, but it wasn’t just a show. It was music for a cause.
All ticket proceeds went to helping earthquake survivors in Syria.
“This is what I do for living and I want others to continue living if they have a chance,” said Ammar. “This is maybe the only way I can contribute to the people and to help others.”
Ammar who was forced to leave his home country Syria amid the war – came to Montreal. He hopes others, especially people in power that can take action – can save Syrians from the after effects of the devastating earthquake that hit both them and Turkey on Feb. 6.
Montreal musician preformed concert to raise support for Syria.
Over 36,000 fatalities have been confirmed as of Monday afternoon, Feb. 13, and the number keeps climbing.
“I am as an individual I am helpless, I do whatever I can but we need someone who is in power to push something, to send something actual you know, there are still people alive under the rubble and they’re waiting on someone to help them, we have to do something very fast.”
Ammar held his Tarab concert in Kawalees, a space for local Arab artists in Montreal on Parc Avenue.
“So, when the disaster happened, we were at crossroads, should we stop all the events or should we continue and re-channel them and re-direct them for a better cause, which is to help survivors from the earthquake,” said Johnny El-Hage, co-founder of Kawalees.
Montreal musician preformed concert to raise support for Syria.
“From our side, we have a small fee that is usually taken by Kawalees, we said we are going to waive that fee and help as much as possible to gather more funds,” he added.
“We created an option, to donate because some people like to donate without attending, and this will raise the amount of funds that will go there.”
More information about where to donate and more fundraising events can be found here.
“Everything I do is reminding me back home, you know, home is not the place you live in, home is the place that you hold within you everywhere you go,” said Ammar.
