Syrian sisters’ singing, poetry on Mideast crises goes viral

A cherub-like, powerful voice emanating from Syrian Faiayo coupled with poetry recited by her sister Rihan about the conflict in the Middle East has become a hit on social media.

“Syria…three years and more, of crazy, selfish and illogical war. Three years in which souls, hearts and minds have been destroyed,” read the English subtitles of a YouTube video uploaded on Oct. 11, which garnered 10,140 views as of Wednesday.

Sweden-based Rihan’s lyrics then remind viewers of children and women who “were sold in the slave markets.”

Then, the singing sister performs a song by the famous Lebanese diva Fairuz, titled “Damascus, you are the glory,” seemingly in nostalgia for the past.

After Syria, Rihan tackles neighboring Iraq, addressing “oppression” and “tyranny” in the country.

Once Rihan’s relentless reproach of Iraqi politics ends, Faiayo sings yet another pan-Arab song by Fairuz for Baghdad and its celebrated past.

While the singing continues for Lebanon and Palestine, Faiayo ends the video by singing the famous “Mawtini” or “My country.”

Mawtini was composed by a Lebanese musician and written by a Palestinian in 1934. The song is currently Iraq’s national anthem.

The video has proved popular on Facebook with a post on the “Iraqis in Sweden” page being viewed 18,703 times and being shared 654 times as of Wednesday.

“So touching. I wish there were more than one like to hit. A smooth message by gorgeous faces, voices and more important patriotism. By the way the two sisters are from Syria living in Sweden,” said one Iraqi Facebook user.

Other commentators also relished the video: “Long lives freedom... if we can still remember what does it mean... Love to our brothers and sisters in the Arab world!”

One YouTube user said: “Every word is true very sad.” Meanwhile one Twitter user expressed: “An influential video for two Syrian women who are expressing artistically what politics have failed to do.”