Dear Dr. Norman G. Finkelstein, Ms. Barbara Dane, Mr. Harry Chomsky and Mr. Abed Amas

Greeting from Palestine, hope this message finds you well and in good health.

On behalf of the Gaza Music School students and the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music family I would like to extend our deep 
gratitude and appreciation to you for your initiative and efforts to help us with the Gaza Music School,thanks to you and to all our friends 
in the world who believe in our mission and in the work we do.It is indeed with friends like you that we are able to carry on with our mission in Palestine and outside. It is a bumpy road, but we believe music can lift up the spirits of our young people,developing their talents, giving meaning and hope to young and old. As we see culture our window to the world.

Your initiative will ensure and facilitating the access of the Gaza children and young people to quality music education and thus encourages 
creativity and innovation among the new generations facing an increasingly challenging context with all flagrant forms of inequality 
in accessing resources and life opportunities.

Below, please find some links to articles that were published documenting the impact of music education on the wellbeing of the Gaza 
children and youth.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/16/world/meast/gaza-music-school
http://socialistworker.org/2009/04/16/gaza-needs-music-too
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-gaza-music-school-a-composition-in-defiance-and-harmony-6287019.html
http://www.france24.com/ar/20110708-music-school-gaza-art-children-education
http://www.mosaicrooms.org/gaza-music-school/
http://electronicintifada.net/content/rebuilt-gaza-music-school-hopes-reach-more-children/11006
http://electronicintifada.net/content/gaza-youth-learn-music-and-challenge-occupation/8825
http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/ht/d/sp/i/9226/pid/9226

The Gaza Music School, which was first established by the A.M. Qattan Foundation in 2008, has officially become the first branch of the Edward 
Said National Conservatory of Music in Gaza and the fifth in Palestine since April 2012. The School offers the first-ever structured and 
long-term music education programme in Gaza opening opportunities for musically talented children, aged 6-16, to learn the joy of music, and 
share it with their community. Today, 180 students coming from different areas in Gaza (54% of enrolled students are females) are enrolled in 
music education on nine instruments: Oud, Violin, Piano, Guitar, Qanun,Trumpet, Cello, Nai and Percussion. All enrolled students are on full 
scholarship. This quality music education to Gaza children and youth was made possible through generous and kind support of so many friends of 
the ESNCM who supports access to culture and music is a basic human right in addition to a broad group of local and international 
like-minded donors and organizations.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you need any further information or for any queries that I will gladly answer you.

Once again thank you for your initiative to helping us opening up new horizons for our children and youth and we will certainly keep you 
informed on developments.
Kind regards,

Mohammed A'war
Fundraising & Development Director
The Edward Said National Conservatory of Music
Tel. : +970 2 6271711
Fax: +970 6271710
P.O.Box 66676 - Jerusalem
Website:http;//ncm.birzeit.edu

Gaza Music School