Erbil embraces Swedish music group amid Quran burning backlash

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Scores of music enthusiasts attended a memorable concert in Erbil’s historic citadel, as the Kurdistan Region capital hosted a visiting group of musicians from Sweden. The organizer of the event told Rudaw English on Friday that the warm reception from the people of Erbil is a testament that music has the power to overcome political differences. 

The concert, organized by Zahawy Music House, was the first time Scandinavian musicians have performed in the Kurdistan Region or Iraq. 

Erbil’s warm embrace of the visiting musicians comes at a time of political tensions between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and Sweden over the repeated burning of the Quran in the Swedish capital by an Iraqi refugee. Angry protests have taken place across the country in reaction to the desecration of the Islamic holy book. Baghdad expelled Sweden’s ambassador and recalled its charge d’affaires, and Erbil suspended its mission in Stockholm.

Hazhar Zahawy, a musician and founder of Zahawy Music House, said that the event was organized months prior to the recent “unfortunate” developments and that the musicians were concerned about making the trip amidst the ongoing backlash. 

“They were very concerned. I tried my best to persuade them. The Swedish embassy was no longer in Iraq and the ambassador had been expelled. The embassy and the consulate were very busy, so I had to ask Mr. Safeen Dizayee, head of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s foreign relations, to connect me with the Swedish embassy, which he did,” Zahawy told Rudaw English on Friday. 

The concert was almost cancelled as the Swedish diplomatic mission was not able to respond to his requests due to the hectic situation, but they decided to go ahead with it, having faith that music and art would triumph over the difficulties. 

“They were shocked!” said Zahawy of the group’s reaction to the warm welcome they received in Erbil. He said the musicians intend to share footage of the citadel concert with Swedish media to demonstrate that there is a misconception about the people of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and that the protesters seen in the news do not represent everyone in the country.

“Music and art have historically been able to overcome religious and national boundaries… The reaction and ovation from the crowd yesterday is a powerful testament to that. The fact that the people did not associate the group [with politics] and just saw them as a Swedish group coming here to perform their art for us was very beautiful,” he said.

The musician added that it was very important for the Kurdistan Region to hold such events if it wants to become a member of the “global culture family” and share the beauty of Kurdish music and art with the world. The ancient citadel that sits at the heart of Erbil serves as a frequent stage for performances. 

 

Zahawy launched Zahawy Music House in November 2021 with an inaugural concert that brought together fourteen singers and musicians from northeast Syria (Rojava), northwestern Iran (Rojhelat), southeastern Turkey (Bakur), and the Kurdistan Region (Bashur).