AGP Executive Report

Music & Community (MENA): A new Sahel summer movement, “El Sahel El Tayeb,” is going viral for pushing people back toward simple beach life—iceboxes, speakers, sand, and classic tracks like Amr Diab—without QR codes or heavy online performance. Cultural Publishing (UAE): Abu Dhabi’s Arabic Language Centre launched a five-book series, “Emirati Art – Pioneers Amongst Us,” spotlighting Emirati artists and their work to boost homegrown art history. Arts & Heritage (MENA): A major exhibition explores how Europe’s “Orient” imagination was shaped by centuries of retellings and cultural exchange, from Arabian Nights to modern art. Regional Music & Events: Qatar’s Doha Film Institute unveiled 2026 Spring Grants for 48 new voices, while Dubai’s calendar released July 2026 programming—both pointing to a busy summer for regional creatives. Music Education (Africa with Middle East links): Kenya’s KNEC is recruiting assessors for KCSE, including Music oral papers—another reminder of how formal music training keeps expanding.

Pride & Identity: In New York City’s Pride March, Jewish LGBTQ activist Dillon Perez says he was both cheered and booed after waving a rainbow flag with a Star of David, highlighting tensions between pro-Israel and “free Palestine” contingents. Cultural Diaspora: In Dublin, Kurdish community leader Hiwa Wahab is building a Kurdish Cultural Centre Ireland, running language classes and organizing events like Newroz and Eid to unite Kurds across Ireland. Music Spotlight: Bedouine’s new album Neon Summer Skin turns family photos and memories from Syria, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia into songs that push back against war-only portrayals of West Asia. Immersive Entertainment: UAE’s Wynn Al Marjan announced a Punchdrunk immersive production (with live music and roaming storytelling) ahead of its 2027 opening. World Cup Beats: Russia beat Egypt 3-1 as Mohamed Salah returned, while knockout-stage matchups ramp up across North America.

Palestinian Cultural Resilience: In Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, oud maker Suhail Abu Shawish repairs damaged instruments by hand, keeping Palestinian musical identity alive amid shortages and power cuts. Egyptian Zār Goes International: Cairo’s Mazaher zār ensemble, led by Umm Sameh with Imam on tamboura, performed in Marseille with Moroccan Gnawa musicians as part of a Mediterranean “crossing” program. Classical Crossover Spotlight: Chennai composer Lydian Nadhaswaram launched “Symphony No. 1 – New Beginnings,” performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, blending orchestral sections with Middle Eastern tonal influences. Qatar Tourism Boost: Qatar expects a stronger inbound rebound in the second half of 2026 after 1.13M visitors in Q1, supported by summer offers and events. Music Industry Support: MMF and YouTube Music announced “Hyperdrive,” a new program to train and grow music managers from Sept 2026 to Jan 2027. Global Pop Buzz: BTS’s Suga weighs what a Grammy nomination would mean, while ATEEZ released EP “Golden Hour : Part 5” with the “BAD” comeback. Gulf Energy Tension: With the Strait of Hormuz reopening after US-Iran talks, oil flows are rising fast—setting up a chaotic rebalancing that could ripple across the region’s music and events scene.

Gaza Cultural Resilience: In Nuseirat, Palestinian oud repairman Suhail Abu Shawish keeps musical heritage alive amid shortages and power cuts, restoring damaged instruments sent by young people—turning craft into identity preservation. Israel–Gulf Security Ties: Haaretz reports advanced Israeli defense systems and subcontracted parts have been supplied to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, including air-defense tech integrated into Qatar royal aircraft—highlighting covert security cooperation. Qatar Tourism Push: Qatar expects a surge in arrivals in the second half of 2026 after 1.13m visitors in Q1, betting on summer events and a heritage-meets-modern lineup despite airfare and regional tensions. Jordan World Cup Pride: Jordan fans in Texas rallied around the team’s debut, with Arab music and dabke at a Jordan Tourism Board fan hub—turning a tough group stage into a cultural showcase. Ancient Music Spotlight: Greek singer Betty Harlafti performed the “Seikilos Epitaph,” billed as the world’s oldest surviving complete song, at Turkey’s Temple of Apollo in Ionia.

World Cup Music & Anthems: Moroccan-Canadian star Nora Fatehi dropped “Champions (Fi Kol Makan),” a new FIFA World Cup anthem, teaming with Rayvanny and Sanjoy. Live Music, Middle East Connections: Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass received Italy’s “Nations Award” in Taormina, with a finale at the Greek Theatre drawing 5,000-plus attendees. Iran-Turkey Nightlife: In Van, Turkey, Iranian clubgoers are returning as a shaky ceasefire brings “morale” back and Persian-Turkish playlists take over dance floors. Regional Culture Spotlight: Cairo’s streetwear scene gets a music-and-heritage angle via “Cairo According to” founder Amr Kawashti and his National Arab Music Institute link. Global Music Moment: Tiny Desk’s World Cup series is spotlighting artists tied to remaining teams, including South Africa’s Thandiswa Mazwai and Canada’s Daniel Caesar. Metal in Istanbul: Megadeth released official live video for “Puppet Parade” from Istanbul, with Dave Mustaine praising new guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari.

Turkish Pop-Rock Live: Seksendört bring their Ankara pop-rock hits to Athens for the first time, with a major live date at Gagarin 205 Live Music Space on Oct 3, 2026. Iran-US Tensions: A fresh debate on whether Trump’s Iran deal can hold after retaliatory strikes around the Strait of Hormuz keeps the spotlight on stability and concessions. WWE in Saudi Arabia: Sami Zayn wins the WWE Championship at Night of Champions in Riyadh, while Oba Femi and Iyo Sky take King and Queen of the Ring. UAE Cartel Fallout: A report claims wanted Kinahan cartel lieutenant Ian Dixon was spotted playing padel in Dubai despite sanctions, reigniting pressure on enforcement. Music Meets Theatre: Boise’s Northwest Stories debuts “Eternities — The Story Concert,” blending live music with actors to turn a concept album into a grief-and-reunion stage narrative. Egyptian Theatre Poster: Ashraf Abdel Baky releases the official poster for comedy play “Al-Sahel Al-Sharir” at Porto Marina on Egypt’s North Coast. Pop Culture Loss: Oliver Tree’s family sets a July 25 celebration of life with a livestream after his fatal helicopter crash. Religious & Music Politics: A column argues about the Middle East’s Christian safety and critiques the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Holy Land messaging.

Jerusalem Culture & Music: The inaugural Lotus and Indian Culture Festival opens at Jerusalem’s Botanical Gardens this weekend, running across June 25-27 and July 3-4 and July 9-11, with Indian dance, art, music, workshops, and lotus-themed programming (adult tickets NIS 40). Dance Diplomacy: New York’s Peridance Contemporary Dance Company arrives in Israel June 29-July 5 with performances in Haifa, Herzliya, and Jerusalem—one of the first major international contemporary returns since the war. K-pop Release: ZEROBASEONE’s 6th mini-album “Ascend-” lands in the US as a physical release, following strong global chart performance and Billboard 200 entries for earlier US albums. Ballet Spotlight: Türkiye’s Nilay Tahiroğlu will represent the country at the International Moscow Ballet Competition at the Bolshoi (June 25-July 5). UAE Live Calendar: A roundup of upcoming UAE concerts highlights major names and regional stars, including Andrea Bocelli, Shakira, and Jonas Brothers, plus Abu Dhabi Festival and Dubai shows by Ibrahim Maalouf and others. Iran Music Crackdown: An Iranian singer has been sentenced to 74 lashes for performing without hijab, with a ban on leaving the country for two years.

Street-to-stage culture in Cairo: Downtown Cairo’s Art Street initiative is turning a side street into an open-air hub where music students and artists perform face-to-face with passersby, including puppet shows for families—no velvet ropes, just community. World Cup anthem chaos (US): In the USA’s match vs Türkiye, fans and players struggled as “The Star-Spangled Banner” was broadcast at an unusually fast pace, leaving many out of sync. Freedom 250 music lineup & security: Freedom 250 CEO Keith Krach says the America 250 celebrations will be “secure” and packed with entertainers, after criticism that some performers pulled out. Eurovision diplomacy (Canada): Canada becomes eligible to compete as CBC/Radio-Canada joins the European Broadcasting Union, positioning Eurovision as a visibility and soft-power boost. Iranian singer sentenced: An Iranian performer was sentenced to 74 lashes for singing without a hijab, sparking international backlash. Iran–Egypt cultural spotlight: Jerusalem’s weekend highlights include Hebrew opera and piano performances, while broader regional attention keeps circling music, identity, and public culture.

MED Festival: The 22nd MED Festival kicks off in Loulé, Portugal (June 25–28) with a lineup spanning Goran Bregovic, Seun Kuti, Natacha Atlas, Bonga, Lura, Salif Keita and more, plus a new MED Conference Cycle and expanded venue spaces. Fashion x Music: Palestinian singer-songwriter Saint Levant becomes the first Palestine-born ambassador for Prada, blending Arabic/English/French rap and R&B after hits like “Very Few Friends.” Iran & Culture Under Pressure: Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi was sentenced to 74 lashes for performing without a hijab, renewing scrutiny of artistic restrictions. Gulf Music Spotlight: Türkiye Culture Route Festival launches in Bursa (June 27–July 5) with free concerts featuring Turkish pop and rap stars like Ceza and Ebru Yaşar. Tech for Music Creators: Celemony expands Tonalic with new calabash and hand-percussion instruments for more expressive production. Social Media Music Moment: A resurfaced clip of South African actors Israel Matseke-Zulu and Sdumo Mtshali singing “Jonasi” sparks viral laughs ahead of Mtshali’s “Jonasi” TV fame.

Eurovision Door Opens for Canada: CBC/Radio-Canada became a full member of the European Broadcasting Union, clearing Canada to compete in Eurovision for the first time—an opportunity framed as “soft power” and a platform for minority visibility. UAE Live Music Spotlight: Syrian star Assala Nasri is set to perform at Abu Dhabi’s Space42 Arena on Saturday, bringing a mix of Levantine tarab, Khaleeji sounds and modern pop. Iran Ashura, Music of Mourning: Across Tehran and other Iranian cities, Muharram’s Ashura is marked with black cloths and public mourning tied to Imam Hussein’s legacy—blending faith, politics and state messaging. Gulf Pop New Voice: Kuwaiti artist ETAF is drawing major attention with her contemporary take on Khaleeji pop, led by the viral hit “Ambeh.” Palestine Solidarity at Tafwyl: Cardiff event security is accused of targeting attendees over Palestine-support T-shirts, with claims of delays and refusals at entry. World Cup Fan Culture: FIFA Fan Fest in Kansas City opened early, then evacuated due to adverse weather, while other cities keep rolling out match-day watch parties and community events.

Turkic Culture Spotlight: Azerbaijan’s culture minister attended the ceremonial opening of “Andijan – Cultural Capital of the Turkic World 2026” in Uzbekistan, where ministers and artists from across the Turkic world gathered for a major music-and-dance concert programme. Egyptian Pop to TV: Egyptian singer-actor Diab has signed on to star in the suspense social TV series “Al Tayar,” with filming set to begin in July 2026 and a 15-episode run. Kashmir UNESCO Push: India’s J&K chief minister is urging UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition for Kashmir’s Sufiyana music, framing it as a centuries-old Sufi tradition blending devotional poetry and classical melody. World Music & Media: A Bengali film, “Pinjar,” has secured an international distribution deal ahead of its July 10 release, with music by Ratul Shankar and rights handled by Pluto Music. Local Scene: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson declared August “Turkish Heritage Month,” highlighting Turkish culture, including music, across the city.

Iran & US Diplomacy: A 14-point US-Iran memorandum of understanding is signed after 100+ days of war, with Iran agreeing not to charge ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz during a 60-day period while talks continue on civilian nuclear enrichment. Iranian Music Under Pressure: Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi was sentenced to 74 lashes and faced penalties after a hijab-free livestream performance, sparking international backlash. Regional Music & Culture: The UAE National Orchestra is highlighted for finding its sound in a debut season. Live Music & Festivals: Wilco and Billy Bragg reunite for “Mermaid Avenue Live” at Solid Sound, while Montreal’s community mourns a bystander killed in a shooting. Arab Community Events: The Arab America Foundation announces the CONNECT Empowerment Summit (Nov 6–7, 2026) in the Washington DC area. Global Music Tech: Qualcomm unveils its Dragonfly data-center AI roadmap, pointing to the growing AI infrastructure behind modern media.

Iranian Music Crackdown: Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi and her production team were reportedly sentenced to 74 lashes after a hijab-free livestream performance, with a two-year travel ban and restrictions on artistic activity—sparking fresh international outrage. Palestinian Cinema & Music: Jordanian director Bassel Ghandour’s feature Occupational Hazards has wrapped principal photography and is now in post-production, with music composition underway for a dark-comedy drama about Palestinian survival in Jerusalem. Arab Music Spotlight: Lebanese indie scene gets a boost with Zeid Hamdan’s folk-tinged single “Ma Telhaini,” balancing longing and playful charm through fingerstyle guitar, horns, and synth textures. Bahrain Arts Recognition: Bahrain thespian Hannah Turner officially received her British Empire Medal at the British Embassy in Manama, honoring decades of community theatre work. Global Pop: BTS’s “Arirang” is being named among major outlets’ best albums of 2026, with praise for blending Korean heritage and global sounds. World Cup Culture: World Cup attendance is tracking record highs in the U.S., with fans drawn to big-event spectacle—an angle that keeps music and stadium atmosphere in the spotlight.

Iran Music Crackdown: Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi was sentenced to 74 lashes for a hijab-free YouTube concert, with a two-year ban on leaving Iran or taking part in artistic activities—sparking global outrage from fellow musicians and social media users. Community & Faith Through Song: Shaarey Zedek in the US will stage “Jewish Notes in America’s 250-Year Song” on July 1, tracing Jewish contributions to American music and civic life. Live Music Launch (Hardcore): Fiddlehead announced its new EP “Baby I’ll Change” (June 26) plus a July 29 show at Boston’s Middle East and a Cambridge skate-park jam. Music Tech Watch: Meta unveiled its AI smart glasses at $299, shifting away from Ray-Ban branding and leaning into in-house design with voice features for translation, calls, and music. Regional Culture Spotlight: QF’s Qatar Music Academy was ranked among the world’s elite pre-college institutions for musical education.

Qatar Music Academy Boost: Qatar Foundation’s Qatar Music Academy (QMA) has earned MusiQuE (Music Quality Enhancement) accreditation, the first Gulf institution to receive the global music-education seal, strengthening its Arab and Western classical training and heritage research in Katara. Iran Music Crackdown: Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi and others were sentenced to 74 lashes after a hijab-free livestream performance, reigniting global outrage over punishment for public music and dress rules. MENA Creative Awards: Day 1 of Cannes Lions 2026 saw Saudi Arabia’s Saudia Airlines win a Silver Lion for “Let It Fly” (Outdoor) and IKEA AlSulaiman pick up a Bronze (Print & Publishing). Cyprus Cultural Calendar: University of Cyprus’ Cultural Festival continues with Stelios Petrakis’ new lyra-focused album “Lyric,” plus a workshop performance connecting Cyprus and wider Hellenic musical traditions. France Festival Violence: France’s Fête de la Musique faced stabbings, alleged sexual assaults and syringe attacks, with 240+ arrests, pushing renewed safety scrutiny for street music events.

Iranian Music Repression: Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi has been sentenced to 74 lashes, plus a travel and artistic activity ban, after a hijab-free livestream concert went viral—sparking fresh international outcry. Palestine-Linked Protest Sound: Irish rap trio Kneecap marked UK PM Keir Starmer’s resignation with a pointed “Slán Keir” message, again tying their music to chants including “Free Palestine.” Middle East Artists Meet Global Stage: Roger Waters released “Comfortably Numb Re-imagined” with Palestinian artist Mona Miari, adding new English and Arabic verses and directing proceeds to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. World Cup Fan Culture: “Country Roads” is taking over U.S. World Cup celebrations as fans sing John Denver’s classic after wins, showing how songs travel fast across stadiums. Regional Music & Tech: Spotify opened an Istanbul office as Turkish music hit 294B all-time streams on the platform, underlining the platform’s push into the region’s scene.