Ahmad Kaabour’s Songs of Resistance
“ When I composed songs as a teenager, war was raging in Lebanon like a roll of dice and I felt like a grown up man already, but thank God I was not a soldier, more like a man of passion who seeks the universal truths in mankind.”
Ahmad Kaabour is a prominent Lebanese singer, songwriter and composer known for his significant contributions to Arab music, particularly through his socially and politically conscious songs. He gained fame with his 1975 song “Ounadikom” (I Call Upon You), based on a poem by late Palestinian poet Tawfiq Ziad, which became an anthem of the Palestinian struggle. The song – with its heartfelt lyrics and Kaabour’s emotive voice – resonated deeply with many and symbolized resistance and solidarity across the Arab world.
via Ahmad Kaabour
Kaabour’s work often blends traditional Arabic music with contemporary elements, and his lyrics frequently reflect themes of resistance, nationalism, and social justice, rooted in the political context of Lebanon and the wider Arab region. Kaabour has done multiple collaborations with other prominent musicians and singers like Marcel Khalife, Rim Banna, Ziad Al Rahbani, Omar Ze’inni and many others.
