Syrian, Turkish musicians to play for refugee funds

ISTANBUL

Hürriyet photo

Syrian and Turkish musicians are to give a benefit concert in Istanbul Jan. 16 to raise money for refugees affected by the Syrian crisis.

Syrian violinist Ali Moraly, Syrian oud player Oras Shukur and Turkish musicians Duygu Demir and Fulya Özlem will perform during the concert, in which benefit organizer and journalist Joe Duran’s photographs of Syrian refugees will be auctioned.

Duran said he decided to do something for the Syrian refugees after his visit to the Adma refugee camp on the Turkish border of Syria.

“I was doing a story about the Syrian refugees in Syria, there are about 13 thousand refugees waiting at the border and living in unbelievable circumstances there. On my way back home I asked myself what else I can do for the Syrian refugees. Then I contacted Syrian violinist Ali Moraly and we decided to organize this concert,” Duran said.

The proceeds of the concert will be directed to the Maram Foundation that was formed by Syrian American activists in response to the overwhelming humanitarian catastrophe facing the Syrian people, according to Duran.

Ali Moraly has performed as a soloist accompanied by the Syrian National Orchestra in 2011 and Oras Shukur performed in a Syrian band called “Abaad” in 2007.

The auction and concert will take place at the Rixos Pera Istanbul at 6:45 p.m.