In Egypt, members of Gazan folk band Maqam gradually getting back together
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00:00In this small studio in Cairo, these Gazan musicians are rebuilding their lives.
00:08Separated since the beginning of the war, they each somehow escaped Israel's bombings
00:13of their neighbourhoods and by some miracle made it to Egypt.
00:18Now back together, they're trying to heal through their music.
00:24When I sing it's for my country.
00:26So far from home it's a painful and difficult thing to do, but even if I'm not there physically
00:31my soul is still in Gaza.
00:33By singing I want to show all the love I have for my country.
00:39Anas, the group's founder, managed to find a small house in Cairo where he feels safe
00:44with his family.
00:47But some of his former students from the Gaza Conservatory, like Najla, are still stuck
00:52amidst the conflict.
00:54They've managed to stay in touch.
00:58She studies at the Edward Said Conservatory.
01:00I play the oud.
01:01I asked her to let me hear her voice, so she sent me this.
01:16Visibly moved, Anas doesn't know if he will ever see her again.
01:24She joined the institute seven years ago.
01:27She grew up there.
01:29Before the war, she was studying medicine.
01:32She was one of the top students.
01:37Far from home, Makam's members cling to their music and memories of happier times in the
01:43lives they left behind in the Gaza Strip.