REFÎF ÎSLÎM

Gaza- When Rahaf Shamaly sang the song “If I could forget you”, her grandmother understood that her granddaughter’s voice was similar to hers. But her grandmother also understood that her granddaughter needed music education. The journey of Rahaf Shamaly with music began when she took music education from a musical art center in Gaza. But she also began to struggle with gender bias because girls are not allowed to sing in the open public spaces in Gaza.

She began to sing at the age of 13

Rahaf Shamaly began to sing at the age of 13 for al-Qatan Children's Choir. She is especially happy to learn musical notes. Rahaf Shamaly is now 18 years old and she told us her musical journey. After singing for the al-Qatan Children's Choir and the Syed Darwish Institute, she joined a musical band called “Sol Band”, a band founded in 2012 by young people. After joining this band, she becomes famous by singing old Palestinian songs.

They documented forgotten old Palestinian songs

The “Wasla” program held by Rahaf Shamaly and the members of the band is considered one of the most important programs in documenting the forgotten Palestinian songs. The members of the band sing the forgotten Palestinian songs in the open public spaces and when they appear in concerts. Rahaf Shamaly told us the aim of the program is to find the forgotten old songs and to introduce them to the young generation.

She was subjected to attack

Rahaf Shamaly is a young girl singing with male members of the band in the open public spaces without wearing a headscarf. She told us that Gazan society doesn’t accept this and she has been subjected to many attacks, particularly on social media. Rahaf Shamaly complains that what she does is not respected. “I am open to constructive criticism but I cannot accept the criticism from those who don’t know anything about music or musical notes.”

Rahaf Shamaly told us that she is the first female street performer in Gaza. She wants to go to West Bank and study at the Music Conservatory in Palestine.