Migrant Melodies: Mohammad’s Story of Music and Mental Health

70-year-old Mohammed vividly remembers the summer his eyes opened to the power of music.

At the age of nine, his elder brother, visiting home from his studies in another city, introduced him to the oud, a widely used instrument in Syria.

At school, he then learned how to play the ney, another common instrument in the region.

He and his brother eventually formed a music group, performing at various gigs in their spare time.

“Music feeds the soul,” Mohammad declares, reflecting on how music has always been by his side through the decades.

Unfortunately, it had to take a back seat when war broke out in Syria. In 2012, Mohammad found himself displaced across the border in Türkiye – with the daunting task of having to start afresh so late in life.

Mohammad, his wife and three children settled in the city of Siverek, in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa.

“We had nothing, not one piece of luggage. We arrived in the wintertime and only had one mattress. Not even blankets. Thankfully, our community warmly welcomed us and helped us immensely.”

A decorator by profession, Mohammad slowly picked up the pieces. Initially, he earned daily wages in the construction sector, always worried about how to put food on the table the next day. His skills proved themselves, lending him more contracts and opportunities.

After over a decade of hard work in his new home, Mohammad finally felt like he could settle down – but the boredom of daily routines took over. “I struggled to find any hobbies, anything interesting to do.”

His thoughts drifted back to chords, rhythms and melodies, and his son Shukri helped him back on the path to music.

Shukri had earlier participated in community-based psychosocial support activities organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

“We heard from migrant and local community members that they would be interested in music-based activities, so the ‘Migrant Melodies’ programme was born,” recalls Adnan of IOM’s Psychosocial Mobile Team. In a heartbeat, Shukri recommended his father to Adnan.

The programme gathered eight adult men over twelve sessions, with a music coach teaching them how to play the bağlama, a popular Turkish instrument. “Through this, we promote well-being, encourage creativity, facilitate social connections and create a safe space for expressing emotions,” explains Adnan.

Participating in the programme energized Mohammad: “I was able to meet new people and make new friends. We helped each other along the way.”

The programme was so successful that participants began meeting outside the dedicated sessions, to play music together and exchange experiences.

“I neglected my passion for music due to all the challenges from having to flee war, but I now feel motivated to get back into it,” attests one participant. “I had my doubts about whether restoring my interest in music would help relieve stress, but now I am sure of it,” echoes another.

For Mohammad, this was proof of the power of music to heal scars, but also to connect people – especially among communities that have generously welcomed their neighbours in a time of need.

“We have very similar musical styles and instruments,” Mohammed says, before playing a traditional Turkish song whose lyrics he converted into Arabic.

“We’re all human and want to live peacefully, no matter our nationality or ethnicity.”

Feeling like he has a new lease on life, Mohammad is incredibly grateful.

Ever since the Migrant Melodies programme, he has been actively involved in helping IOM organize other psychosocial support activities and reaching out to community members who could benefit from the support.

This year, he was one of 14 individuals in Siverek, both Syrian and Turkish, who received an award from IOM for their contributions to its psychosocial support programme.

“It made me feel valuable. I know that my work and my music are not for nothing,” he proudly exclaims.

With four different instruments well-displayed in the corners of his living room, Mohammed smiles, eager to play another song.

The work of IOM’s Psychosocial Mobile Teams (PMTs), currently active in six provinces, is made possible with funding from the United States Government.

Written by Miko Alazas, IOM Türkiye Media and Communications Officer