International artist, humanitarian to perform at Berea College convocation

Sep. 14—Berea College will be welcoming an international performer for her second visit to Berea College for one of their weekly convocations on campus.

Widely known as Jordan's "Musical Ambassadress," Farah Siraj will be performing for Fall 2023's Stephenson Memorial Concert series on Thursday, September 14.

"I am looking forward to being back in Berea," she said. "My first time on campus is one experience I distinctly remember. The connection I had with the students was memorable."

According to Siraj, her musical journey began when she was as young as three years old.

"I used to perform to my mother and grandmother in the living room," recalled Siraj. "Music chose me, I did not choose music."

Influenced by a versatile group of artists such as Tracy Chapman, Omar Diab, and Paco de Lucia, Siraj performs original compositions and combines Arabic, Spanish, and English to create her unique voice.

"Some things come to me in English, while others come in Spanish and Arabic. I never have to force it," Siraj said.

Her music is described as a fusion of Middle Eastern music, flamenco, jazz, Bossa nova, and pop.

Siraj has performed at some of the world's most prestigious venues all over the world, such as the United Nations, Nobel Prize Hall, World Economic Forum, The John F. Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, MTV, and Coke Studio.

Additionally, she annually represents Jordan on United Nations World Peace Day. She was chosen as one of New York's "Summer Stars of Jazz" and named "the Norah Jones of the Middle East" by New York Time Out.

Starting in 2008, Siraj had released three albums with Dunya — which means "world" in Arabic and Hindi) — and her latest album was released in 2014. Some of her performances have hit No. 1 on music charts in India and No. 3 in Southwest Asia.

Berea College said in a press release that Siraj's values parallel Berea College's mission, as "she uses her music to spread the message of peace, unity and community."

Siraj is not only an artist, but also a humanitarian who has raised awareness about the consequences of war and violence, singing about the occupation of Palestine, Beirut's port explosion, and the genocide in Darfur. As a result of her efforts, she was invited to perform at the United Nations Humanitarian Awards. She advocates for women's rights, refugee rights, and animal rights.

The performance begins at 8 p.m. in Berea College's Phelps Stokes Chapel and is free for the public to attend.