I am very happy to share that a new book has just been published in the United States: Shadows in the Moonlight: Songs of the Middle East — and I am deeply honoured to be a part of it.
This project is particularly close to my heart, not only because of its musical and cultural significance, but also because of the beautiful story behind it — a story that began 15 years ago in my hometown of Damascus.
It was there, during a rehearsal of the Rainbow Choir led by maestro Hussam Eddin Brimo, that I met Joan Litman — a seasoned music educator from the United States with a passion for folk songs from around the world. At that rehearsal, Hussam handed Joan one of my compositions, Elegy, and asked her to conduct it. That meeting became the beginning of a wonderful friendship and long-term collaboration.
Shadows in the Moonlight
Songs of the Middle East
Joan Litman, Wassim Ibrahim
Editor: Karen Howard
As Joan’s curiosity led her deeper into the musical traditions of the Middle East — Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Jewish, and Kurdish music — our conversations became more frequent, and I was honoured to become a point of reference and exchange. In 2015, Joan invited me to compose a piece for her choir, Cantigas Women’s Choir, based in Hudson County, New Jersey. That piece, Damascus Breeze, was performed in the United States and marked my first visit to the country. It was a formative and inspiring experience, and one I hold very dear.
Shortly afterwards, Joan began working on a book that would reflect her deep love for Middle Eastern musical traditions. I had the privilege of supporting her throughout this process. And now, after many years of dedication, Shadows in the Moonlight has finally seen the light of day — and our names are now bound together on its cover.
The book offers a collection of 43 traditional songs from across the Middle East, arranged by language — Arabic, Persian (Farsi), Turkish, Kurdish, and Hebrew. Each section includes cultural background, phonetic transcriptions, translations, teaching tips, and recordings — making it a rich and accessible resource for teachers and students alike. More than just a songbook, it is a testament to the idea that music builds bridges between cultures and people.
Working with Joan on this project has been a true joy. She has become more than a colleague to me — she is my American Mother. I am grateful for her trust, her vision, and her generosity, and I celebrate this moment with deep appreciation and pride.
May this book travel far and wide, carrying with it the voices, memories, and humanity of our region.
