Lives Less Ordinary is a podcast by the BBC’s Outlook team. Featured on a two-part series, Mo’min Swaitat shares his discovery of a collection of forgotten Palestinian music in an abandoned building in 2020. Among the many dusty cassettes, he came across a yellow tape with a handwritten label that simply said 'Intifada.' Intrigued by this find, Mo'min embarked on a journey to uncover the origins of this particular tape.
Through a series of clues, Mo'min eventually connects with Hanan Awwad, an elderly Palestinian woman residing in occupied East Jerusalem. Hanan reveals the story behind the 'Intifada' tape, which was created by her brother, Riad. The tape contains a mix of disco, protest songs, and poetry that reflected the spirit of the Palestinian uprising.
Hanan recounts how Riad, driven by his passion for music and the Palestinian cause, took great risks to produce the Intifada tape. The consequences of such expression of resistance were perilous under the circumstances of occupation.
However, despite the dangers, Riad's songs managed to survive through an underground network of music enthusiasts. Eventually, the tape found its way to Mo'min.
The story highlights the power of music as a form of resistance and resilience, connecting individuals across generations and inspiring hope even in the face of adversity.