Naseer Shamma

Naseer Shamma

Naseer Shamma, an Iraqi musician and renowned Oud player, was born in 1963 in Kut, Iraq, graduated from the Institute of Music Studies in Baghdad in 1987, and has since attained a PhD in Musical Philosophy.

Shamma’s illustrious career has been adorned with over 70 international awards. It commenced with the “Best Emotional Melody in Iraq” accolade in his graduation year and ascended to the honours of the Iraqi Artist Syndicate for three consecutive years spanning from 1988 to 1990. Other noteworthy achievements include the titles of “Best Artist in Iraq” in 1994, the prestigious Royal British Academy Award in 1998, the distinguished Rotterdam Arab Festival Award, and a multitude of other esteemed recognitions.

In recognition of his unwavering dedication, Shamma has been honoured with prestigious awards, including the 2012 International Gusi Peace Prize. His commitment to humanitarian work is further underscored by his roles as Ambassador of the Iraqi Red Crescent, Ambassador of the International Non-Violence Association, UNESCO Artist for Peace, and most recently, as the goodwill ambassador to the International Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies (IFRC) and Health Champion for the World Health Organization (WHO), a designation bestowed upon him in 2023.

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