Here are Vietnamese and English versions of a song I created about Vietnam. It's appropriate to share them on the nation's 80th anniversary of independence. I encourage you to read Ho Chi Minh's Declaration of Independence, delivered on 2 September 1945 in Ba Dinh Square, the focus of today's parade and celebration. Việt Nam tỏa … Continue reading Chúc mừng ngày Quốc khánh 2/9! Happy 80th Independence Day, Vietnam! 🇻🇳
Songs
The Never-Ending Tour of Trauma
ChatGPT created this image based on the text. This is an Instagram post by Hani Almadhoun, Senior Director of Philanthropy at UNRWA USA National Committee and co-founder of the Gaza Soup Kitchen. It's in response to a hate-filled message in Hebrew that he received via a GoFundMe account that said: "You are child killers and … Continue reading The Never-Ending Tour of Trauma
Gaza is a Broken Scream
This image was generated by ChatGPT based on the text. This is a LinkedIn post by Dr. Abdalqader Ahmed Khader Wishah that I set to music. According to his profile, Dr. Wishah is a Palestinian physician who graduated from Al-Azhar University in Gaza in 2020. Since 2021, he has been working as a team leader … Continue reading Gaza is a Broken Scream
Don’t Ask Us to Smile
Image created by Gemini based on the text. This spoken word piece is based on a LinkedIn post by Dr. Mohamed Abu Mughaisib, Deputy Medical Coordinator Médecins Sans Frontières, in Gaza. A ceasefire is coming. But don’t mistake it for peace. I won’t celebrate. Many of us won’t. Because what are we going back to? … Continue reading Don’t Ask Us to Smile
Healer in Chains – A Song for Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya
Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, center, works at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in November 2024. AFP via Getty Images Here are two versions of a song I created in honor of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a Palestinian pediatrician and neonatologist who served as the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Gaza Strip from February 2024 … Continue reading Healer in Chains – A Song for Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya
Amir’s Final Walk
Amir is our son, brother, nephew, and grandchild. Our fellow human being. Whoever kills a soul…it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one—it is as if he had saved all of mankind.— Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:32) I created a song to honor the memory of Amir, a Palestinian boy who walked … Continue reading Amir’s Final Walk
No One Dies from Hunger
This spoken word piece is based on a LinkedIn post by Mohamed Abu Mughaisib, Deputy Medical Coordinator, Médecins Sans Frontières, in Gaza. "No one dies from hunger." That’s what our elders told us, a phrase passed from parent to child, like a promise, but that truth doesn’t live here anymore. In Gaza, people are dying … Continue reading No One Dies from Hunger
Light in the Rubble – A Song for Hani Almadhoun
This image was created by ChatGPT based on the lyrics of the song and Hani's LinkedIn profile photo. Below are two versions of a song honoring the lifesaving work of Hani Almadhoun, senior director of philanthropy at UNRWA USA and co-founder of the Gaza Soup Kitchen. Please consider making a donation to both organizations. Here … Continue reading Light in the Rubble – A Song for Hani Almadhoun
Israel Killed Anas Al-Sharif & Six Others
In a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. -George Orwell When exposing a crime is treated as committing a crime, you are being ruled by criminals. -Edward Snowden For some reason, I felt the urge to message Anas al-Sharif on Friday evening (8 August). Maybe it was a premonition or just an urgent … Continue reading Israel Killed Anas Al-Sharif & Six Others
Longing (Ḥanīn/حنين)
ChatGPT created this image based on this prompt: Hanin (حنين) "is a profound Arabic term that encapsulates a deep longing, particularly for a lost homeland or a place of origin." This is a LinkedIn post by Ms. We'am Hamdan, who is a Ph.D. student in the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge. At … Continue reading Longing (Ḥanīn/حنين)
An International Educator in Vietnam 
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