Hamas has ruled that men and women cannot perform together and canceled concerts in Gaza

The Gaza-based terrorist organization canceled the concerts, which are considered record-breaking events for young musicians. The Edward Said National Conservatory protested the decision, stressing that the musicians play as an ensemble that cannot break apart because of gender segregation. Music School Director: "Don't Make the Decision"

"They have no more rights than their parents." Gaza Music School (Photo: AP)

Gaza Music School. October 13, 2008 (Photo: AP)

Two concerts by Gaza Conservatory students were canceled after Hamas first decided that boys and girls could not play together on the same stage. The Gaza Music School, which operates as part of Edward Said's National Palestinian Conservatory, protested the decision. The conductor, Ans Al-Najjar, said the implementation of the separation would be a disaster for 45 members of the orchestra.

Nearly 200 students and students aged six and over are studying Oriental and Western classical music. The two annual concerts planned - in Khan Yunis and Gaza City - are considered record events for the young musicians.

Al-Najjar said the unprecedented move is "a very serious sign." He says, "After ten years of schooling, the musicians are ready to take the stage. Every musician's dream is to perform." Al-Najjar, the school's academic director and Cannon player (Arab fritto) virtuoso, explained that the performances were for the parents of the students. "They (Hamas) have no more rights than their parents to prevent them from appearing," he argued.

More in Walla! NEWS

Try to put off the concerts. Gaza School of Music (Photo: AP)

Gaza Music School. October 13, 2008 (Photo: AP)

The approval required by the police to hold public events is most often given in advance, with the orchestra's last performance being held last October. The school emphasized that musicians play as an ensemble that cannot fall apart because of gender segregation.

The move against the mixed performances came in the wake of a fatwa (a Muslim ruling) released last month by an Islamic preacher in Khan Yunis, who is considered more conservative than Gaza. Back then, the goal was the performance of the "Sol" band - a group of four graduates and a graduate of the school in Gaza. The fatwa, posted on Facebook and offered to boycott the show, has sparked widespread discussion on social networks.

The Palestinian Human Rights Organization denounced the ruling, arguing that it was a hate speech. According to the organization, Fatwa "humiliated the band members as unbelievers who promote lewdness" and violated Palestinian and international law protecting individual liberty. The organization called on authorities in the Gaza Strip to officially condemn the preacher's statements, Muhammad al-Fara.

Rocket launched from Gaza to Israel; In response - the IDF attacks Hamas targets

Does not do enough to force an Islamic regime

Hamas is relatively limited in its ability to intervene in social and cultural life in Gaza, which is routinely characterized by gender segregation in government schools, and prohibitions on drinking alcohol and maintaining an intimate relationship between unmarried couples. Despite this, there are still complaints against the organization from self-serving and ultra-conservative factions, who say it is not doing enough to force a stricter Islamic regime.

Manal Awad, director of the Edward Said institution in Gaza, explained that the incident was postponed because they were not ready to accept the Hamas decision. "The government did not refuse the concert itself but the fact that boys and girls will be present on stage together. We refused to accept this idea, so we rejected the concert," she said.

She added that, in general, the Hamas cultural ministry supports the school's activities, but "it is not their decision and that is the problem." Awad also said that the school has not officially launched a protest against the move, hoping that the event will be implemented in the future.