Palestinian Songwriters
saving lives with songs
صوت نور
THE VOICE OF LIGHT
SAWT NUR
صوت نور
is a locally led Palestinian songwriting initiative that creates songs for children and their families living through crisis. The songs focus on emotional support, safety, wellbeing, and the realities of daily life. The idea behind the name is simple and intentional, using voices, music, and storytelling to spread light during dark and uncertain times.
SAWT NUR
صوت نور
What we do
Sawt NÅ«r creates songs for children and families living through crisis. The songs address everyday risks and challenges, including safety, hygiene, emotional distress and uncertainty, and are shared through the new humanitarian radio at family-friendly times.
Why it matters
In prolonged crisis, children and caregivers are exposed to danger, stress and constant disruption. Clear, calm and familiar messages can help families feel steadier and more capable. Music is a trusted, accessible way to communicate safety and reassurance, especially where other services are limited or disrupted.
Who it helps
Sawt NÅ«r is for children and their families in Gaza and across the Palestinian community. It also supports musicians who are continuing their creative work under extremely difficult conditions.
How is it different
Sawt NÅ«r is locally led. The songs are written and performed by Gaza's musicians who understand the daily realities their communities face. Community feedback helps guide the work as songs are released steadily over time, helping families respond to changing needs and realities
What change happens
Children and families are better able to recognise risks, make safer choices and support one another in daily life. They feel less alone in their fear and uncertainty, and more confident in how to respond to common dangers and stresses. Through familiar music and trusted voices, clear safety and health messages become part of everyday routines, helping create greater stability, emotional reassurance and safer environments. At the same time, Gaza’s songwriters are supported to continue contributing to the wellbeing of their communities.
How you can help
If you would like to help make a difference in the lives of Gaza's children and their families through Sawt Nur would you consider donating to our work?
Fahmi's story
My name is Fahmy Alsaqa — I am a composer, music arranger, and performer of several oriental instruments. I used to own a fully equipped audio production studio, but the building was completely destroyed during the war, and I lost everything I owned. However, I have now returned, trying once again to rise and restart my work. Despite the extremely difficult challenges and harsh circumstances, I managed to collect some equipment and instruments and set up a simple studio to begin working again.
I am excited to join the Sawt Nur team and to contribute with new song that will help the people of Gaza build a safer and brighter future.
Ahmad's story
My name is Ahmad Nabil Murad. I am a Palestinian singer, songwriter, and audio producer from Gaza. For more than ten years, music has been my profession and my livelihood. I built a small but stable musical life in Gaza, supporting my family through my work.
In April 2024, my family and I were forced to leave Gaza because of the war. We lost our home, my studio, my equipment, and everything I had built over many years. The experience of displacement affected us deeply, emotionally and financially.
I am now living in Cairo, Egypt, working to rebuild my life and my music from the ground up. Despite the challenges, I continue to create, learn, and move forward, using music as a way to heal and stay connected to my roots.
I am also involved in creative projects for Palestinian children, including contributing as a vocal coach to the Salam to Gaza Children’s Choir, supporting children to express themselves and find hope through music.
I am grateful to be part of the Sawt NÅ«r songwriting team, and I look forward to contributing songs that offer comfort and reassurance to families in Gaza.
Mohammed's story
My name is Mohammed Rizk Khayra. I am a music arranger and audio engineer. Before the war on Gaza, I worked in an audio production studio, which allowed me to support my family. During the war, I lost all my equipment three times. Each time I tried to rebuild with whatever was available, but it was lost again due to ongoing bombardment and incursions.
Today, I am once again rebuilding my artistic life and my equipment, with hope and prayer that this can mark the beginning of a new musical chapter. I am very grateful to be part of the Sawt NÅ«r team and look forward to creating songs and artistic works that help bring a brighter, more hopeful future to the people of Gaza and beyond.
Salam Le Gaza Children's Choir
Salam Le Gazza Children’s Choir is a group of displaced Palestinian children who fled the war in Gaza with their families and are now rebuilding their lives in Egypt. The choir was founded by the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music to help preserve Palestinian musical heritage and to give the children a safe emotional outlet after the trauma of war.
The choir is trained by Ahmed Nabil Murad and meets once a week in a rented classroom due to limited resources. Despite these challenges, the children have already performed at Badr University and the American University in Cairo, receiving wonderful feedback for their heartfelt singing.
With additional support, the choir can expand its rehearsals, secure stable space, and participate in more cultural events helping these children heal, stay connected to their identity, and share their voices with the world.
Humanitarian Radio (our delivery machanism)
Humanitarian Radio is a multi-agency FM radio initiative led by Amplifying Voices with Rapid Response Radio, Transformational, and UNICEF, serving children and families in Gaza and the West Bank. With a current focus on Gaza, around one third of daytime broadcasting is aimed at children, providing calm, practical, and trauma-aware programming that combines essential information with music and community voices.
Hosted by UNICEF, the station is community-centred and shaped by Palestinian production teams, with technical support from Amplifying Voices. All content is pre-recorded to ensure safety and trust, with oversight from UNICEF and humanitarian partners, including Palestinian NGOs. Within this humanitarian radio ecosystem, Sawt NÅ«r contributes to children’s programming by producing child- and family-focused songs for broadcast.
Gaza station manager Mohammad Al Sabe at work