The musical heritage of Maqam, dating back to the Abbasid Caliphate (750–1258 CE) which encapsulates traditional and folk tales, love stories and spiritual ceremonies is a significant component of the shared musical culture of the MENA region. It was at risk in Mosul due to a concerted effort by Daesh in 2014 to destroy this form of artistic expression. Since Maqam was shared orally between generations, there is little existing documentation of it and the few surviving Maqam experts and pioneers are elderly.

To safeguard this vital intangible cultural heritage, from 2024–25, the University of Exeter worked alongside partners in Iraq. This included the University of Mosul, Kashkul Center for Arts and Culture at the American University of Iraq Sulaimani (AUIS), and Volunteer With Us in Mosul.

With support from the British Council's Cultural Protection Fund, the project broadened engagement with Maqam in Mosul through a range of forums. This included social media outreach, a dedicated Maqam festival, oral history recordings, and training for local individuals in the essential skills to continue this heritage. 

Talented young musicians and maqam reciters from Mosul performing on stage with Amir El-Saffar at Ghabat Park, a site once used by Daesh as a training ground for fighters and a place where children were recruited.
Talented young musicians and maqam reciters from Mosul performing on stage with Amir El-Saffar at Ghabat Park, a site once used by Daesh as a training ground for fighters and a place where children were recruited. This is part of the Mosal Maqam project. Credit: Lana Kamaran.

The project enhanced access as evidenced by:

  • 94% workshop attendees reporting that they engaged with individuals who were not from their own communities.
  • An all-women team who created a Maqam focused graphic novel, targeted to women Maqam practitioners, broadening engagement with Maqam, an historically male-dominated musical style.
  • The Maqam training at Mosul University exceeded its targets, reaching 50 people instead of 20.
  • The Maqam Festival, described as a joyous and healing experience, which took place in Mosul Forest celebrated Mosul’s resilience and the commitment of its people to revitalise their community following violence and was attended by more than 600 people.

Not only did the project help foster connections across communities in Mosul, it led to a deeply personal and unexpected reunion. During an artist workshop, the trainer – an international Maqam performer – discovered that one of the participants was his former santur teacher, one of Iraq’s most respected santur players and a Maqam expert. The two had lost contact in 2003 due to the Iraq War. 

Discover more from our latest annual report.
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