Oud In Iraq, Oud In America

A land of peace, a land of war. Music welcome where it isn't really appreciated, forbidden where it is needed the most.

BAGHDAD — Dhia Jabbar hides his oud in a sack when he walks down the street in his Baghdad neighborhood.

He used to teach students in the back room of a photo shop, where the sound could not be heard. But last week, militia gunmen invaded the store, destroying one of his instruments and ordering him to stop teaching. He had dreamed of a performing career, but now he has lost hope.

“Iraq is dead,” he says.

It's worth reading the whole story. Sometimes we take our freedom from oppression too lightly, so that we don't really value it.