There is enormous hope that peace can finally be achieved for Israel, Palestine and the region. We can all contribute in a small way by taking a clear stand against violence, for universal human rights and for a peaceful and free life for all peoples together. Music can build bridges, connect people and bring them together.
Edward W. Said – the great American-Palestinian intellectual – founded the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in 1999 together with Daniel Barenboim and Bernd Kauffmann, the general commissioner of Weimar, then European Capital of Culture. The orchestra brings together Arab and Israeli musicians to perform together. The guiding principle was that military action does not contribute to peace in the Middle East, but that alternative ways to a political solution must be found. This idea of peace was always at the centre of Edward Said's thinking and actions. The national music conservatory in Palestine is named the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in his honour and in commitment to peace and reconciliation. The school's headquarters are in Ramallah, with branches in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nablus and Gaza City. The music school branch in Gaza has tried to persevere under unimaginably difficult conditions over the past two years. Until the Gaza offensive in August 2025, the children were still able to make music together in the badly damaged building and at least take a break from the terrible war.
A wonderful guitar teacher – Ahmed Muin – impressed us and many others with his warmth and dignity, with which he repeatedly brought the children together to make music. But with the Israeli army's entry into Gaza City, all the city's residents had to flee once again. This included Ahmed Muin and his kids – as he affectionately calls his students. Weeks of flight, hunger and endless suffering followed. And despite everything, they managed to build a place on the beach together – under a tent made of parachute fabric – and meet there again and again to make music. The videos touched our hearts deeply, showing how, in the midst of this great suffering, music was able to bring a small smile to the children's faces. Ahmed Muin is a hero to us, one of many heroes who stand up against hatred, violence and destruction. And who, with their warmth, humanity and music, advocate for a better, more just world.
Now Ahmed Muin and his children can return to Gaza City, where everything has been completely destroyed. A field of rubble of unbelievable, apocalyptic proportions. Of course, nothing remains of the music school. We want to help the people there to rebuild their lives, to rebuild the music school and to enable Ahmed Muin and his colleagues to teach children there again. Music can help heal their traumas and wounds of war. Not today, not tomorrow, but slowly and surely, a new, peaceful life can be rebuilt. Please help by making a donation to our support association:
Donation account:
Name: Kölner Klassik Ensemble e.V.
IBAN: DE35 3806 0186 4533 4420 19
BIC: GENODED1BRS
Bank: Volksbank Köln Bonn eG
We will also be asking for donations at the next two chamber concerts in the Humboldt Hall. We will keep you informed on our website about how much money we have raised and how we will be distributing it to the Edward Said National Conservatory and Ahmed Muin and his kids.
Further information on the Edward Said National Conservatory:
Youtube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@esncm1993/videos
Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Said_National_Conservatory_of_Music
Official hompage, the page loads a little slowly, so please be patient:
https://ncm.birzeit.edu/en
Further information on Ahmed Muin:
https://www.songsfromtherubble.com/
Follow Ahmed Muin on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ahmedmuin_abuamsha/
You can also help directly yourself! Any help is extremely important right now. Here are some aid organisations that we recommend because they can distribute financial and humanitarian aid quickly and easily via personal contacts directly on the ground:
Barakah Charity, founded by Mohamed Ajami in Hamburg: https://barakah.ngo/de/gaza/
Lemontree Collective, founded by Helen Fares: https://lemontree-collective.org/
Larger organisations:
Medico International, a human rights organisation founded in 1968 and based in Frankfurt, is working to provide emergency aid in Gaza, despite all the difficulties and obstacles: https://www.medico.de/projekte/israelpalaestina
In Israel, the NGO Standing Together is working tirelessly to promote peaceful coexistence. It is campaigning for an end to the war and for understanding and peace between Israelis and Palestinians:
https://www.standing-together.org/en/about-en
