Nominees

Basel Saleh is a Syrian composer, oud player, and conductor of both the London Arab Orchestra and the Orchestra of Syrian Musicians. A graduate of the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus with a Master’s in Music Education, he teaches vocal performance at the University of West London and is a member of the Ivors Academy. His compositions have been performed by major ensembles including the BBC Singers, Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and Truro Sinfonia, blending classical Western orchestration with authentic Arabic sounds. Saleh has performed worldwide — from Glastonbury and WOMAD to the Royal Festival Hall — and collaborated with artists such as Damon Albarn and Paul Weller.

Naeim Alnajjar is a Syrian-born British artist and the world’s first beatbox graduate from the Royal Northern College of Music. A Guinness World Record holder and UK Beatbox Championships finalist, he has performed across top UK and European venues including the Southbank Centre, Bridgewater Hall, and Factory International. Through his work with Music Action International’s Harmonise programme, he delivers therapeutic music workshops for refugees and survivors of trauma. Naeim’s innovative 100% vocal sets combine Drum & Bass, Techno, and Garage, redefining modern beatboxing as a tool for healing and creativity.

Saada Saif is a Yemeni-British writer and editor, founder of Balansia House for Writing and Publishing. She holds a degree in International Relations from King’s College London and is pursuing a Master’s in English Literature. Saada has contributed to the Qatar-UK Cultural Festival 2024 and written for Qatar Foundation and Qatar Museums, focusing on the intersection of literature, culture, and identity. Her work promotes Arab-British literary exchange and creative collaboration.

Saber Bamatraf is a Yemeni composer, pianist, and multidisciplinary artist based in Edinburgh. His work bridges storytelling and social themes shaped by his experiences during the Yemen conflict. A recipient of the Artist Protection Fund Fellowship and Edinburgh Global Scholarship, he has performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, TED, and the BBC. Saber is currently pursuing a Master’s in Music Composition at the University of Edinburgh and continues to use music as a platform for peace and dialogue.

Shatha Altowai is a Yemeni visual artist, creative practitioner, and performer based in Edinburgh. Her artistic journey, spanning painting, digital art, printmaking, and collaborative theatre and music projects, is shaped by her experience of the Yemeni civil war and her commitment to artistic activism. A recipient of the IIE Artist Protection Fund Fellowship, she has been an artist-in-residence at Edinburgh Printmakers and Art27Scotland, and currently serves as a UNESCO RIELA Affiliate Artist in partnership with musician Saber Bamatraf.
Shatha’s work explores themes of displacement, identity, and heritage, and has been showcased in exhibitions and festivals across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. She is a winner of the Scottish Women’s Award for Arts & Culture (2022) and the John Byrne Award (2021). Through her art, performances, and public speaking — including at the National Museum of Scotland, PeaceRep workshops, and TEDxLIUSanaa — she continues to champion cultural expression, resilience, and inclusion as tools for peacebuilding and social change.