I am Kurdish

Description

Mohammad Syfkhan, a Kurdish-Syrian singer and bouzouki player, began his career in 1980 before founding The Al-Rabie Band, a renowned group in Syria. Forced into exile after the war and the tragic loss of his son, he found refuge in Ireland, where he integrated through music. His album I am Kurdish blends Middle Eastern and North African influences to create vibrant, festive music, suited both to intimate gatherings and clubs. He has collaborated with several Irish musicians and notably opened for Lankum at Cork Opera House in 2023. The Al-Rabie Band was a highly sought-after group. Their live sets included Kurdish, Arabic, Turkish and Western songs, as well as Mohammad’s original material. Mohammad continued to play with his band while working as a surgical nurse until the war broke out in 2011. This unfortunately caused a tragedy in Mohammad’s family when one of his sons was killed by Isis, threatening the lives of the rest of his family. His family had no choice but to leave their home and seek refuge in Europe. Three of Mohammad’s sons were resettled in Germany while Mohammad, his young daughter and his wife were welcomed in Ireland. Mohammad has spoken at length about his confusion and despair with the fundamentalists and how their message is far from the teachings of love and understanding that he considers the true message of Islam. Since arriving in Ireland, Mohammad has used the language of music to integrate into the local community by playing at private parties and concerts. He regularly plays at weddings and events for Kurds and Syrians throughout Ireland and Germany. He has collaborated with Irish artists such as Martin Hayes, Cormac Begley, Eimear Reidy, Cathal Roche and Vincent Woods. In 2023, he opened for Lankum at Cork Opera House and received huge applause from the packed venue. Mohammad’s ecstatic music draws on elements from the Middle East and North Africa to create an atmosphere of joy, love and happiness. The songs on “I am Kurdish” were recorded and mixed with the aim of making them suitable for listening at a small gathering or for being played on a big platform in nightclubs. Either way, it is a record that gets people dancing.