"'A Beautiful Thing': Hijab-Wearing Singer Aims to Inspire"
1. Syrian singer Ghalia Chaker says wants to take her music beyond Middle East
In a Dubai recording studio, hijab-wearing Ghaliaa Chaker strums her guitar and sings her original compositions, building a career that’s gaining attention for more than just her music.
The 26-year-old Syrian, raised in the UAE, has become a social media sensation with 437,000 Instagram followers and millions of views on YouTube. Her distinctive style and rare presence as a hijabi artist in a region where such performers are few make her stand out.
"I hope I’ve paved the way for other hijabi singers," Chaker told AFP. "It’s a beautiful feeling to know you’ve inspired a girl with big dreams who didn’t think it was possible because she hadn’t seen anyone like her do it."
A passionate motorbike rider and member of an all-hijabi biker squad in Dubai, Chaker started writing songs at 16. She drew inspiration from Jordanian singer Nedaa Shrara, who won the Arabic version of "The Voice" in 2015, despite controversy surrounding her hijab.
Seeing Shrara’s confidence empowered Chaker to believe she could succeed too. In 2018, her first song, composed in English, was picked up by Dubai radio stations, marking her musical debut. Today, she primarily sings in Arabic as part of a growing wave of young, innovative artists in the region.
Despite criticism, the green-eyed singer said the hijab has never held her back. "There’s nothing I’ve wanted to do and not done because I wear the veil."
However, her journey hasn’t been without challenges, especially in conservative circles. While her immediate family is supportive, relatives in Syria were initially shocked, fearing public reactions. Social media negativity also affects her, but Chaker focuses on the love her music receives.
Growing up in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Chaker was surrounded by diverse musical influences. Her father played Arab classics by Fairouz and Umm Kalthoum, while her mother favored Western legends like Elvis Presley. This blend shaped Chaker’s sound—a mix of R&B, hip hop, electro-pop, indie, and jazz.
A multi-instrumentalist, Chaker learned drums, guitar, and piano from her father, who gifted her instruments instead of toys. The Middle Eastern darbuka drum holds a special place in her heart, a bond she shares with her father.
Singing in Arabic, English, Turkish, Armenian, and Persian, Chaker aims to take her music global. After performing in Beirut in August, she dreams of reaching audiences in Europe, America, Australia, and beyond, and collaborating with artists from different cultures.
"It’s time for the Western world to discover how beautiful our music is," she said.
