Benefit Tour 2027 · Gaza Mental Health Foundation
The Healing Melody of the Oud
An evening of live oud and guided meditation, for the mental health of Gaza's children and families.
An evening of live oud and guided meditation, for the mental health of Gaza's children and families.
In a quiet, low-lit room, Basel Zayed improvises on the oud and guides the audience through a meditation carried by the music. The melodies unfold slowly, with short spoken cues to help guests breathe, settle and listen.
No musical background or meditation experience is needed. Guests simply listen and follow the melody, and are free to close their eyes or step out at any time.
A contemplative evening of collective care, remembrance and connection: a concert and a shared practice, not therapy.
Palestinian mint tea as guests settle in.
A few words to open the evening.
Live improvisation on the oud with guided, mindful listening, each passage opened by a short spoken cue.
Two minutes of silence for the people of Palestine.
A traditional lullaby, dedicated to the children of Gaza who were killed and to those who lost their families.
What the Gaza Mental Health Foundation does with every gift.
Tea and conversation.
Low light, a seated audience of 60 to 150, and permission to close your eyes or step out at any time.
Every dollar raised goes to the Gaza Mental Health Foundation Inc., an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) founded in 2001 that funds community mental health care in Gaza, especially for children, through independent partners such as the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme. Basel serves on its board.
Since October 2023, Gaza's children and families have lived through devastating war and loss. The psychological wounds will last for generations, and the clinicians treating them often carry the same losses as their patients.
Basel donates his performance and covers his own travel and accommodation. Tickets are sold through the Foundation, so every guest is receipted directly.
Cities and dates will be announced here as venues confirm. On many evenings, a member of the Foundation's board will join to speak about its work in Gaza.
Or write to info@baselzayed.com. A two-page proposal for hosts, with background and research, is available on request.